and started out in life."

A big sob arose in her throat, while at the same time she began to
laugh weakly. Dr. James heard her from the hall and entered hastily.
At the sight of him, Kate's eyes filled with terrified remembrance.
Her glance swept the room, and rested on her rocking chair. "Take that
out of here!" she cried. "Take it out, split it into kindling wood,
and burn it."

"All right," said Dr. James calmly. "I'll guarantee that you never see
it again. Is there anything else you want?"

"You--you didn't--?"

The doctor shook his head. "Very sorry," he said, "but there wasn't a
thing could be done."

"Where is he?" she asked in a whisper.

"His people took him home immediately after the Coroner's inquest,
which found that he died from heart failure, brought on by his long
walk in the heat."

Kate stared at him with a face pitiful to behold.

"You let him think THAT?" she whispered again.

"I did," said the old doctor. "I thought, and still think, that for
the sake of you and yours," he waved toward the bundle, "it was the
only course to pursue."

"Thank you," said Kate. "You're very kind. But don't you think that I
and mine are going to take a lot of shielding? The next man may not be
so kindly disposed. Besides, is it right? Is it honest?"

"It is for you," said the doctor. "You had nothing to do with it. If
you had, things would not have gone as they did. As for me, I feel
perfectly comfortable about it in my conscience, which is my best
guide. All I had to do was to let them tell their story. I perjured
myself only to the extent of testifying that you knew nothing about it.
The Coroner could well believe that. George and his mother could
easily manage the remainder."

Kate waved toward the bundle: "Am I supposed to welcome and love them?"

"A poet might expect you to," said the doctor. "In the circumstances,
I do not. I shall feel that you have done your whole duty if you will
try to nurse them when the time comes. You must have a long rest, and
they must grow some before you'll discover what they mean to you.
There's always as much chance that they'll resemble your people as that
they will not. The boy will have dark hair and eyes I think, but he
looks exactly like you. The girl is more Holt."

"Where is George?" she asked.

"He was completely upset," said the doctor. "I suggested that he go
somewhere to rest up a few days, so he took his tackle and went
fishing, a