Part 20 (2/2)
”Yes, indeed,” answered Aggie, studiously avoiding Jimmy's eye.
”Baby is going to sleep in the spare room with Aggie and Jimmy,” said Zoie.
”What!” exclaimed Jimmy, too desperate to care what Alfred might infer.
Ignoring Jimmy's implied protest, Zoie continued sweetly to Alfred:
”Now, don't worry, dear; go back to your room and finish your shaving.”
”Finish shaving?” repeated Alfred in a puzzled way. Then his hand went mechanically to his cheek and he stared at Zoie in astonishment. ”By Jove!” he exclaimed, ”I had forgotten all about it. That shows you how excited I am.” And with a reluctant glance toward the cradle, he went quickly from the room, singing a high-pitched lullaby.
Just as the three conspirators were drawing together for consultation, Alfred returned to the room. It was apparent that there was something important on his mind.
”By the way,” he said, glancing from one to another, ”I forgot to ask--what's his name?”
The conspirators looked at each other without answering. To Alfred their delay was annoying. Of course his son had been given his father's name, but he wished to HEAR someone say so.
”Baby's, I mean,” he explained impatiently.
Jimmy felt instinctively that Zoie's eyes were upon him. He avoided her gaze.
”Jimmy!” called Zoie, meaning only to appeal to him for a name.
”Jimmy!” thundered the infuriated Alfred. ”You've called my boy 'Jimmy'?
Why 'Jimmy'?”
For once Zoie was without an answer.
After waiting in vain for any response, Alfred advanced upon the uncomfortable Jimmy.
”You seem to be very popular around here,” he sneered.
Jimmy s.h.i.+fted uneasily from one foot to the other and studied the pattern of the rug upon which he was standing.
After what seemed an age to Jimmy, Alfred turned his back upon his old friend and started toward his bedroom. Jimmy peeped out uneasily from his long eyelashes. When Alfred reached the threshold, he faced about quickly and stared again at Jimmy for an explanation. It seemed to Jimmy that Alfred's nostrils were dilating. He would not have been surprised to see Alfred snort fire. He let his eyes fall before the awful spectacle of his friend's wrath. Alfred's upper lip began to curl. He cast a last withering look in Jimmy's direction, retired quickly from the scene and banged the door.
When Jimmy again had the courage to lift his eyes he was confronted by the contemptuous gaze of Zoie, who was sitting up in bed and regarding him with undisguised disapproval.
”Why didn't you tell him what the baby's name is?” she demanded.
”How do _I_ know what the baby's name is?” retorted Jimmy savagely.
”s.h.!.+ s.h.!.+” cautioned Aggie as she glanced nervously toward the door through which Alfred had just pa.s.sed.
”What does it matter WHAT the baby's name is so long as we have to send it back?”
”I'll NOT send it back,” declared Zoie emphatically, ”at least not until morning. That will give Jimmy a whole night to get another one.”
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