Part 40 (1/2)
”Now, Mis' Carrington, lay that other piece of flannel on the bed, and we'll put the baby in it. I think he's boiled most of his cold out. So--that's right, roll him out--and we'll rub him with the grease. You do it, Mis' Carrington; your hands is younger and not so stiff as mine. Put lots on his chest and around his throat. And turn him over on his back, Mr. Carrington. Put a lot on his back. So-- that's right. Rub it in well. And now we'll put him in the bed.
There, poor little mite, he breathes better now, don't he?” They stood around the bed, looking down at the child, whose regular breathing showed that he had stopped fighting for his breath and the battle was won. Soon his eyes, which had been staring so pitifully closed, and with a little sigh the baby slept.
Drusilla turned to say something, to speak a few words of thanks for their help; but she stopped at the sight of the two people standing on opposite sides of the little bed. The man with his coat off, his white waistcoat and s.h.i.+rt gleaming in the light, the woman opposite him clothed in her decolette' gown, with jewels glistening in her hair and on her neck. But she did not notice the dress, when she saw the light in the woman's eyes as they rested on the man. They looked into each other's faces for a full moment; then the woman reached over her hand, and in a low, broken voice said, ”Robert, is it too late? Shall we try again?” The man's quivering lips could say nothing, but the hand that clasped the one that came to him so timidly was answer enough.
The doctor entered at that moment and the baby was turned over to him, while Drusilla's guests put on their wraps and followed her downstairs. At the door of her sitting-room Drusilla turned to them.
”Won't you come in? You wished to see me about--”
Mr. Carrington said hastily:
”No; we will let the matter wait. We are on our way to the opera--”
”No, Miss Doane,” the wife interrupted; ”we _were_ on our way to the opera, but now--we're going home, Robert.” Turning to the man beside her she repeated: ”We're going _home,_ Robert. Do you understand, we're going _home!”_
Drusilla stood in the hall until the motor started.
”The Bible says a lot of things that's true,” she murmured to herself, ”and one of 'em is, 'A little child shall lead 'em.'”
CHAPTER XIV
The next morning Drusilla was at breakfast when she heard the chug-chug of a motor. Mrs. Carrington's card was brought in; but before she could say to William that she would see her visitor, the happy laughing face of Mrs. Carrington looked in at the door.
”May I come in? I am sure you will see me.”
Drusilla rose with a smile on her sweet old face, and extended her hand.
”Yes, do. You're just in time to have a cup of good coffee with me.”
”Am I so early? I motored down with Robert this morning and felt that I must stop and see you on the way home.”
”No, you're not early at all; but I'm gettin' lazy in my old age. I git up early in the mornin' and have some coffee and then go and see all my babies. I like to see 'em git their bath, and then I help dress 'em. Then I come back and have my real breakfast. Now, you set right there, so's the sun'll s.h.i.+ne on you, and William'll git another cup and plate.”
”But I have had my breakfast.”
”Pshaw, one can always drink coffee in the mornin'. And you've been clear down town.”
Mrs. Carrington settled herself comfortably in her chair, threw back her coat, and smiled across at Drusilla.
”Yes, I've taken Robert down town the first time for more than a year. Oh, it seemed just like old times to take him to his office again.”
Drusilla looked at her smilingly.
”Well, it seems to have made you pert-lookin' this mornin'. Your face is a-s.h.i.+nin'. Do you take one lump or two? Cream? Is that the right color? I'm particular about the color of my coffee.”
”Yes, that's just right. It smells delicious,” said Mrs. Carrington, taking the cup. ”No, I won't have anything to eat. Well--I don't know whether I can resist those hot rolls. Just a half of one, then. Is that honey? I ought not to eat sweets--I know my fate if I do; but I can't resist hot rolls and honey.”
She was quiet for a few moments. Then she looked up at Drusilla and said, half hesitatingly, ”I presume you are wondering why I have come to make this early morning visit, Miss Doane?”