soft ash of vermilion and gray, and caught up a forgotten coffee cup from the top of the piano. Joey, did you ever see such a moon? The orange-pink roses had opened wide in the warm room, showing their golden hearts. She put them in deep water, brushing her hot face against their coolness. Tears stung into her eyes.
She was hungry—she hadn't been able to eat anything at dinner. She found some left-over cheese straws, and ate one. How could she have said dahsh? Oh, she was tired! And to-night, of all nights, after what Doctor Wells had told her that morning, Joe had left her alone. She bit into another cheese straw, while the tears poured down her face, but she couldn't swallow it. Her head went down on the kitchen table.
I want to go to bed, but I'm too tired—too tired ever to move again. Lots of women die when they have babies—perhaps I will. Oh, I'm so scared, I really am scared. Joe, why aren't you here? I need you
She began to relax. The warm quiet kitchen surrounded her, still and safe. The guinea chicken must have been good. Mr. Donner had two helps. Oh, that awful broad "a"! And Joe's roses were so pretty. Perhaps I'd better ask Mrs. Driggs over to lunch to-morrow, so as not to waste them—she's always a little touchy after we've had a dinner party, and if there's enough guinea chicken to cream
Tock tock tock tock. She couldn't see the clock, but she knew it was late. She must get up to bed
