THE RED RUGS OF TARSUS
doors, I saw Herbert standing there. Surging thoughts went through me. One was that I must not let these emotions reach the baby. I clinched will and muscles to safeguard the little thing. The other thought was to get over be- side Herbert. As I made my way through the crowd toward the door, I thought : have I died and Herbert too? What was that I suffered last night? How can I know? Then the brain in my head told me: touch him, and if he is warm, it is not death. I took his left hand in my right and with my other hand touched his face. It was warm.
"Where is Miner Rogers?" "He is dead," came the answer. Herbert's free hand reached back of him for the door-knob. He went slowly out on the balcony, closing the door be- hind him, as if he did not know what he was doing.
Herbert has no recollection of this meeting. We figure out that it is because he had al- ready been reassured about me, for he dis- [137]
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