The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-10-28

was a young woman at the coun- ter. A swinging gate led from the small enclosure to the larger room.
 Without a moments hesitation Norma passed through this gate. One of the women arose.
 What is it you want?" she said sharply.
 "Is this the City Welfare De- partment? I've come for my baby -"
 "What?"
 If you'll go back behind the counter" the woman said, "and wait your turn. Miss Eberhart will consider your case. You'll have to wait on the other side of the counter!" The woman accepted her words harshly.
 But you don't understand! Norma exclaimed. Pm not here to wait. I tell you I've come for my baby-!"
 The man at the far desk had | come forward. Everybody in the room was eyeing Norma. Perhaps I'd better talk to her." the man said quietly. With nod toward Norma he said, Will you come with me?''
 Mrs Carey cluched the girls arm. They went through another | door, following the man. 1t was a smaller office. The man dropped into the desk chair and waved Norma and Mrs Carey to seats. Now then" he said, what is it you're so excited about?"
 Norma and Mrs Carey tried to I Aol H. the older woman who got out the tened silently, nodding occasion ally. When he understood what they were trying to tell him he pushed an electric desk button. A girl appeared at the door. Bring Miss Clinton's report he told her. In a moment the girl was back with some cards. She laid them on the desk and departed.
 Now then" said the social worker, after studying these cards, I'm sorry to tell you, Mrs Travers that you can't take your son home this evening. As our investigator explained to the-er nurse-when she took the child complaint has been made. This complaint calls for complete and thorough investi- gation. Pending such action we must see that the baby is cared for properly. You have been charged with neglecting the child, being away for long periods of the day.
 "Now, now-don't Interrupt mel" he went on, more severely. These charges must be investigated. If they are groundless the child will come back to you. If not, the mat ter wil come into open court. There is nothing whatever that you can do about situation this even ing. Your child is being given excellent care but it Is impossible for you to see him. There is noth- ing for you to worry about. We have the infants welfare at heart and yours too"
 "I won't go!" Norma cried hot ly. q won't go until you let me have Mark! You've no right to take him away from me. You've no right"
 The hysterical outburst lasted several minutes. At the end of that time Mrs Carey found herself in the corridor with the sobbing Norma in her arms.
 "We'll go home" Mrs Carey tried to make her voice consoling. "Well go home, honey, and come back tomorrow! Maybe Miss Saun- ders will know what to do. There there! You mustn't carry on this way!"
 It taxed all Mrs Carey's re- sourcefulness to get the girl into another taxicab and headed back for the apartment. It was after five when they arrived there and Chris Saunders had come ahead of them.
 Chris heard the afternoons events indignantly. And imme- diately she had a solution. Well call Bob Farrell!" she exclaimed. "What you need Is a lawyer, Norma! Why, the idea of coming into a persons home that way and taking a baby. never heard of such a thing! You need a lawyer who knows how to go after such things. I'm going to call Bob this niinute!"
 She ran downstairs. Ten minutes later she was back to report. ' Bob's coming over right away. caught him just as he got in the house. He said he'd start right laway."
 Half an hour later-and for the third time-the story was re- viewed for Farrell's benefit. Mrs Carey was called in and the young man questioned her. She and Chris had poured forth sympathy for Norma and berated the welfare department
 Bob's attitude was quite differ ent. Norma's face was red and swollen from weeping but she was Il Ina nraaQaA tn~ gether in a line that strove to re- main firm. Eyeing the girl soberly. Farrell said: