anting his feet so as to resist Aggie's
repeated tugs, "I'm going to South America."

"Why will you act like this," cried Aggie, in utter desperation, "when
we have so little time?"

"Say," said Jimmy irrelevantly, "do you know that I haven't had any----"

"Yes," interrupted Aggie and Zoie in chorus, "we know."

"How long," continued Zoie impatiently, "is it going to take you to slip
down that fire-escape?"

"That depends on how fast I 'slip,'" answered Jimmy doggedly.

"You'll 'slip' all right," sneered Zoie.

Further exchange of pleasantries between these two antagonists was cut
short by the banging of the outside door.

"Good Heavens!" exclaimed Aggie, glancing nervously over her shoulder,
"there's Alfred now. Hurry, Jimmy, hurry," she cried, and with that she
fairly forced Jimmy out through the bedroom door, and followed in his
wake to see him safely down the fire-escape.

CHAPTER XXVI

Zoie had barely time to arrange herself after the manner of an
interesting invalid, when Alfred entered the room in the gayest of
spirits.

"Hello, dearie," he cried as he crossed quickly to her side.

"Already?" asked Zoie faintly and she glanced uneasily toward the door,
through which Jimmy and Aggie had just disappeared.

"I told you I shouldn't be long," said Alfred jovially, and he implanted
a condescending kiss on her forehead. "How is the little mother, eh?" he
asked, rubbing his hands together in satisfaction.

"You're all cold," pouted Zoie, edging away, "and you've been drinking."

"I had to have one or two with the boys," said Alfred, throwing out his
chest and strutting about the room, "but never again. From now on I cut
out all drinks and cigars. This is where I begin to live my life for our
sons."

"How about your life for me?" asked Zoie, as she began to see long years
of boredom stretching before her.

"You and our boys are one and the same, dear," answered Alfred, coming
back to her side.

"You mean you couldn't go on loving ME if it weren't for the BOYS?"
asked Zoie, with anxiety. She was beginning to realise how completely
her hold upon him depended upon her hideous deception.

"Of course I could, Zoie," answered Alfred, flattered by what he
considered her desire for his complete devotion, "but----"

"But not so MUCH," pouted Zoie.

"Well, of course, dear," admitted Alfred evasively, as he sank down upon
the edge of the bed by her side--

"You needn't say another word," interrupted Z