The San Francisco call., 1909-03-07

L
on the couch in the library and Miss Hardie will
let us know if there is any change.
The baby turned great eyes toward l was
glad to sec that they not dulled but we're
bright and shining, and / pointed this out to his
mother as an encouraging sign. She looked her
quiet gratitude.
Il don't like to leave him, doctor" she said.
"He does not know Miss Hardie yet
"But he soon will, Mrs. Worthing' l assured
her 1--WE been spinster aunt for years, and we'll
get along famously. You must save your strength.
And we'll become acquainted if you will
leave him alone with me-
"You will call me if he seems unhappy"
l promised and she went off to her own room.
Then commenced the fight for life Wee Dom
ald because of the intubation tube, could not cry
aloud, but the piteous droop of his lower lip told
me when he was more than usually uncomfortable,
and | did my best to keep him soothed. For a
week it was nip and tuck with the little fellow.
| had second nurse to relieve me, and she was
assigned the night shift while ! took the day one.
Mrs. Worthing could not content herself away
from the sick room. She went out each morning
after breakfast for breath of air, but the of
the day she spent with the baby and me. knowing
that it was kindness to keep her occupied, / let
her help me with my duties, and she proved an
able assistant She seemed to have rel
1.
band was away. on business, and though she re-
ceved daily telegram from him that could have
been but small comfort.
Usually when two women arc thrown together
as constantly as We and especially when the
welfare of the child of of them is their common
thought there springs up between them, almost as
matter Of course degree of friendliness, not to
say intinacs but though Mrs. Worthing appar-
entity had every confidence in me, was no bet
bsr he end of ten
or so. except in the most superficial way, than
when I was introduced to her. She still interested
me and still baffed me. Inquisitiveness and good
breeding are not running mates, SO it never oc-
Cured to me to try to draw her out, and she was
not the sort TO volunteer information TO her
private affairs What was it that distinguished
her above other women? She had more than the
New Englander's share OF rcserve-l had gathered
that she was Bostonian and had lived in San
Francisco only since her marriage and this chry-
saloid attribute made her impervious to criticism
Donald, with the marvellous recuperatve powers
of infancy once the crisis was passed, improved
rapidly / had expected that coincident with his
convalcscence ] would see Mrs Worthing relax
little but as the days went her manner grew
more and tense.
was the more surprised, therefore, when one
Friday morning she seemed to be in expansive
mood When the baby had had his bath and was
settling down for his nap took my sewing into
the alcove that opened out of the nursery and she
followed me there. Sine down with her back
to the window and pretended to read novel she
had brought with her. but she forgot to turn the
, pages, and when Donald's regular breathing 'indi
Gated that he had dropped off to sleep she closed
the book and asked me about hospital life
briefly outlined its routine and she listened with
attentive interest When | had finished she
inquired: