once her graying hair fell softly
across his eyes ... "Then," he said, "then ... the baby was born."

"Oh, _we_ had no children!"

His arms comforted her. "I didn't care. I have never cared. I hated the
idea of children, because of ... this child."

"Is his name Jacky?"

"That's what she called him. I never really noticed him, until winter
before last; then I kind of--" He paused, then rushed on; it was to be
Truth henceforward between them! "I sort of--got fond of him." He
waited, holding his breath; but there was no "explosion"! She just
pressed his hand against her breast.

"Yes, Maurice?"

"He was sick and she sent for me--"

"I know. That's how I knew. The telegram came, and I--Oh," she
interrupted herself, "I wasn't prying!" She was like a dog, shrinking
before an expected blow.

The fright in her face went to his heart; what a brute he must have been
to have made her so afraid of him!

"It was all right to open it! I'm glad you opened it. Well, he was
pretty sick, and I had to get him into the hospital; and after that I
began to get sort of--interested in him. But now I'm worried to death,
because--" Then he told why he was worried; he told her almost with
passion!... "For he's an awfully fine little chap! But she's ruining
him." It was amazing how he was able to pour himself out to her! His
anxiety about Jacky, his irritation at Lily--yet his appreciation of
Lily; he wouldn't go back on Lily! "She wasn't bad--ever. Just unmoral."

"I understand."

"Oh, Eleanor, to be able to talk to you, and tell you!" So he went on
telling her: he told her of his faint, shy pride in his little son; told
her a funny speech, and she laughed. Told her Jacky had seen a rainbow
in the gutter and said it was "handsome." "He really notices Beauty!"
Told her of Lily's indignation at the Sunday-school teacher, and his own
effort to make Jacky tell the truth, "I have a tremendous influence over
him. He'll do anything for me; only, I see him so seldom that I can't
counteract poor old Lily's influence. She hasn't any idea of our way of
looking at things."

"You must counteract her! You must see him all the time."

"Eleanor," he said, "I have never known you!"

He tried to lift her and hold her in his arms, but she was terrified
about his knee.

"No! Don't move! You'll hurt your knee. Maurice, can't I see him?"

"What! Do you really want to?" he said, amazed "Eleanor, you are
wonderful!"

That whole evening was entire