ge better than a hotel.
She wired, asking a return wire at once.

The more she thought about the place, the more she decided that was
where she would go. It was near New York and yet she could be alone
there. She remembered walks and woods. She called the station and
learned about trains. Then she set herself to her own packing. Once she
stole out to the balcony and looked over. Jerry was singing
"Ride-a-cock-horse," and little Jerry was trying to carry the tune with
the strange noises he used in self-expression. They were unconscious of
an intruder, so Jane slipped away again.

Shortly she came downstairs in her hat and coat.

"Jerry, do you suppose you and Anna could get him to bed to-night? I
have some errands."

"We'll manage," he answered. "Can't I do anything for you?" he added.

"No, thanks. I'll be back at dinner time," she replied.

Jane finished her errands and dropped in upon Bobs for a little visit.

"Baby and Anna and I are going off for a little outing to-morrow. Look
after Jerry a bit, will you, Bobs?"

"Sure. But where are you going?"

"It's a secret."

Bobs's eyebrows went up, but she said nothing.

"Didn't you ever want to get away from every living soul you know and
think your own thoughts for a whole week?" demanded Jane.

"Often. Usually my crises come when I'm too poor to go anywhere,
though."

"Jerry is generous with money, so I can go."

"Does he understand this--need?"

"I think so."

"Well, good luck to you, dear. Be careful of our child and get your
think out," laughed Bobs as Jane left.

She would have marvelled had she seen her guest stop by the studio,
where she and Jerry had begun their experiment, and lay her head against
the door for a second, like a troubled child against its mother.

Life was so simple then, when she had accepted Jerry's wild proposal; it
had grown so complex now, so woven of her own and other people's heart
strings.

When she arrived at home she found big Jerry beside little Jerry's bed,
one small hand clasped about his father's forefinger, while big Jerry
sat very still for fear of waking him. Jane smiled at them.

"It won't wake him, see," she said, and slowly loosed the tiny fingers.

When Anna came up and announced dinner, she told Jane in delighted
detail how Jerry had put the baby to bed. He refused to let her touch
him, he had done it all himself.

"It tickled the baby!" she laughed, as she went off to her kitchen.

Later, at the t