Part 18 (2/2)
Alfred glanced solicitously at Zoie's closed eyes. ”I'm so sorry,” he apologised to Aggie, and again he slipped softly out of the room.
Aggie and Zoie drew together for consultation.
”Suppose Jimmy can't get the baby,” whispered Zoie.
”In that case, he'd have 'phoned,” argued Aggie.
”Let's 'phone to the Home,” suggested Zoie, ”and find----” She was interrupted by Alfred's voice.
”Say, Aggie,” called Alfred from the next room.
”Yes?” answered Aggie sweetly, and she crossed to the door and waited.
”Hasn't he come yet?” called Alfred impatiently.
”Not yet, Alfred,” said Aggie, and she closed the door very softly, lest Alfred should hear her.
”I never knew Alfred could be so silly!” snapped Zoie.
”s.h.!.+ s.h.!.+” warned Aggie, and she glanced anxiously toward Alfred's door.
”He doesn't care a bit about me!” complained Zoie. ”It's all that horrid old baby that he's never seen.”
”If Jimmy doesn't come soon, he never WILL see it,” declared Aggie, and she started toward the window to look out.
Just then there was a short quick ring of the bell. The two women glanced at each other with mingled hope and fear. Then their eyes sought the door expectantly.
CHAPTER XVII
With the collar of his long ulster pushed high and the brim of his derby hat pulled low, Jimmy Jinks crept cautiously into the room. When he at length ceased to glance over his shoulder and came to a full stop, Aggie perceived a bit of white flannel hanging beneath the hem of his tightly b.u.t.toned coat.
”You've GOT it!” she cried.
”Where is it?” asked Zoie.
”Give it to me,” demanded Aggie.
Jimmy stared at them as though stupefied, then glanced uneasily over his shoulder, to make sure that no one was pursuing him. Aggie unb.u.t.toned his ulster, seized a wee mite wrapped in a large shawl, and clasped it to her bosom with a sigh of relief. ”Thank heaven!” she exclaimed, then crossed quickly to the ba.s.sinette and deposited her charge.
In the meantime, having thrown discretion to the wind, Zoie had hopped out of bed. As usual, her greeting to Jimmy was in the nature of a reproach. ”What kept you?” she demanded crossly.
”Yes,” chimed in Aggie, who was now bending over the crib. ”What made you so long?”
”See here!” answered Jimmy hotly, ”if you two think you can do any better, you're welcome to the job,” and with that he threw off his overcoat and sank sullenly on the couch.
”s.h.!.+ s.h.!.+” exclaimed Zoie and Aggie, simultaneously, and they glanced nervously toward Alfred's bedroom door.
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