he baby from Delphy's arms. He was in his night-dress, and
his big blue eyes were drugged with sleep. As Eugenia took him he gave a
whimpering cry and clutched her with his little hands before he nestled
into the lace at her bosom.

Some hours later, while Eugenia awaited Dudley in the dining-room, Miss
Chris came in to see that his late supper was in preparation. "The train
is over-due," she said, with a glance at the clock. "He will be hungry
when he gets in. He always is."

Eugenia looked up anxiously. "I am beginning to feel alarmed," she
replied. "Can anything have happened, do you think? He is an hour late."

Miss Chris shook her head as she refilled the sugar-bowl. "Why, he's
often late," she rejoined. "I never knew you to be nervous before. What
is it?"

"Oh, I don't know," said Eugenia. She rose and stood looking at the
clock, her brow wrinkling. "If he isn't here in five minutes I'm going
to the station," she added, and went upstairs for her wraps.

When she returned Miss Chris resorted to argument. "Don't be absurd,
Eugie," she urged. "You can't go alone. It's too late and too far."

"But I sent for a carriage," replied Eugenia decisively. "If anything
happens to the baby come after me," and a moment later she rolled away,
leaving Miss Chris transfixed upon the doorstep.

As the carriage passed along the lighted streets she smiled at the
recollection of the face Miss Chris had turned upon her. Well, she was
absurd, of course, but one couldn't go through life being reasonable.
And if anything were to happen to Dudley she would always remember that
she had refused to go to walk with him the afternoon before he went
away, because the baby was crying for the flames and couldn't be left
with Delphy. Dudley was provoked about it, but men never understood
these matters. He had even gone so far as to declare that his son would
get only his deserts if he were to cry himself hoarse; and she had felt
impelled to resent so hard-hearted an utterance. How could the baby know
that the fire was the only thing in the world he couldn't have for his
own?

When she drew up at the station the train was just coming in, and she
rushed through the waiting-room to the gate from which the passengers
were streaming. As she reached it Dudley came through, talking
animatedly to the man who walked beside him. "That was the very point,
my dear sir--" he was saying, when he caught sight of Eugenia, and
paused abruptly, domestic aff