Part 19 (1/2)

Jimmy looked at them without comprehending why he should ”sh.” They did not bother to explain. Instead, Zoie turned her back upon him.

”Let's see it,” she said, peeping into the ba.s.sinette. And then with a little cry of disgust she again looked at Jimmy reproachfully. ”Isn't it ugly?” she said. Jimmy's contempt for woman's ingrat.i.tude was too deep for words, and he only stared at her in injured silence. But his reflections were quickly upset when Alfred called from the next room, to inquire again about Baby.

”Alfred's here!” whispered Jimmy, beginning to realise the meaning of the women's mysterious behaviour.

”s.h.!.+ s.h.!.+” said Aggie again to Jimmy, and Zoie flew toward the bed, almost vaulting over the footboard in her hurry to get beneath the covers.

For the present Alfred did not disturb them further. Apparently he was still occupied with his shaving, but just as Jimmy was about to ask for particulars, the 'phone rang. The three culprits glanced guiltily at each other.

”Who's that?” whispered Zoie in a frightened voice.

Aggie crossed to the 'phone. ”h.e.l.lo,” she called softly. ”The Children's Home?” she exclaimed.

Jimmy paused in the act of sitting and turned his round eyes toward the 'phone.

Aggie's facial expression was not rea.s.suring. ”But we can't,” she was saying; ”that's impossible.”

”What is it?” called Zoie across the foot of the bed, unable longer to endure the suspense.

Aggie did not answer. She was growing more and more excited. ”A thief!”

she cried wildly, over the 'phone. ”How dare you call my husband a thief!”

Jimmy was following the conversation with growing interest.

”Wait a minute,” said Aggie, then she left the receiver hanging by the cord and turned to the expectant pair behind her. ”It's the Children's Home,” she explained. ”That awful woman says Jimmy STOLE her baby!”

”What!” exclaimed Zoie as though such depravity on Jimmy's part were unthinkable. Then she looked at him accusingly, and asked in low, measured tones, ”DID you STEAL HER BABY, JIMMY?”

”Didn't you tell me to?” asked Jimmy hotly. ”Not literally,” corrected Aggie.

”How else COULD I steal a baby?” demanded Jimmy.

Zoie looked at the unfortunate creature as if she could strangle him, and Aggie addressed him with a threat in her voice.

”Well, the Superintendent says you've got to bring it straight back.”

”I'd like to see myself!” said Jimmy.

”He sha'n't bring it back,” declared Zoie. ”I'll not let him!”

”What shall I tell the Superintendent?” asked Aggie, ”he's holding the wire.”

”Tell him he can't have it,” answered Zoie, as though that were the end of the whole matter.

”Well,” concluded Aggie, ”he says if Jimmy DOESN'T bring it back the mother's coming after it.”

”Good Lord!” exclaimed Zoie.

As for Jimmy, he bolted for the door. Aggie caught him by the sleeve as he pa.s.sed. ”Wait, Jimmy,” she said peremptorily. There was a moment of awful indecision, then something approaching an idea came to Zoie.