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 passed. "Wait, Jimmy," she said peremptorily. There was a moment of
awful indecision, then something approaching an idea came to Zoie.

"Tell the Superintendent that it isn't here," she whispered to Aggie
across the footboard. "Tell him that Jimmy hasn't got here yet."

"Yes," agreed Jimmy, "tell him I haven't got here yet."

Aggie nodded wisely and returned to the 'phone. "Hello," she called
pleasantly; then proceeded to explain. "Mr. Jinks hasn't got here yet."
There was a pause, then she added in her most conciliatory tone, "I'll
tell him what you say when he comes in." Another pause, and she hung up
the receiver with a most gracious good-bye and turned to the others with
increasing misgivings. "He says he won't be responsible for that mother
much longer--she's half-crazy."

"What right has she to be crazy?" demanded Zoie in an abused voice.
"She's a widow. She doesn't need a baby."

"Well," decided Aggie after careful deliberation, "you'd better take it
back, Jimmy, before Alfred sees it."

"What?" exclaimed Zoie in protest. And again Jimmy bolted, but again he
failed to reach the door.

CHAPTER XVIII

His face covered with lather, and a shaving brush in one hand, Alfred
entered the room just as his friend was about to escape.

"Jimmy!" exclaimed the excited young father, "you're back."

"Oh, yes--yes," admitted Jimmy nervously, "I'm back."

"My boy!" cried Alfred, and he glanced toward the crib. "He's here!"

"Yes--yes," agreed Aggie uneasily, as she tried to place herself between
Alfred and the bassinette. "He's here, but you mayn't have him, Alfred."

"What?" exclaimed Alfred, trying to put her out of the way.

"Not yet," protested Aggie, "not just yet."

"Give him to me," demanded Alfred, and thrusting Aggie aside, he took
possession of the small mite in the cradle.

"But--but, Alfre