"If the child would only die!"

Elizabeth had only to get out of bed and go to work to rid herself of the
hateful burden in the present state of her health, but under no
circumstances would she have done it. She would have parted with her right
hand before she would have helped to destroy a life she had permitted to
spring into being, and yet---- The thought occurred, and recurred, in
spite of every effort, "If only----" And she knew that if it happened
without her assistance she would be glad.

Elizabeth's distress increased, and when John brought her dinner on a tray
covered with a fresh napkin and beside the plate a violet he and Jack had
found in the pasture she brightened with pleasure at the dainty
arrangement, but did not touch the food.

"Now be good to the baby; he's been asking for you all morning," he said,
kissing Elizabeth with an effort at kindliness and understanding.

Elizabeth's head was aching wildly, and she was so nervous that she could
scarcely endure being spoken to at all.

"Then don't leave him here, John, for I can't bear to have him fussing
around," she said, trying to be appreciative.

"Oh, well, if you don't want him at all, I'll take him out again," he said
crossly, setting the tray on a chair beside the bed.

He was able, however, to see that the girl was not altogether herself, and
shut the door behind him carefully. The door shut so softly that the latch
did not catch. When Jack finished his dinner he came running to his
mother's room at once. The door gave way under his hand and he stood
looking into the room curiously. After a glance around, he advanced
confidently toward the bed with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

Elizabeth set her teeth hard. She was unable to reach out and lift him to
a chair where he would not jar the bed, so it was her intention to be
patient.

Jack's eyes fell upon the tray as he passed it, and he wheeled around and
took stock of the contents of this new form of table. Frantic with
irritability and knowing that she would be at fault in the manner of
correcting the child, his mother let him eat out of the plate she had left
untouched, rather than have a scene with him. Presently, however, Jack
laid down the spoon with which he had been eating and attacked a dish of
berries with his hands, letting the drops from the ends of his fingers
trickle down the front of his clean gingham dress. Elizabeth happened to
look up and saw what he was doing. There was