Evening star., 1940-04-28
,tf Short Story Complete in This Issue

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IT ~R KEITH ATLEY could prove that
81 science knows best when it comes to
ro0~ raising babies. He could prove it by
=, ,larts and tests and papers published in the
cr aiding medical journals He could prove it by
,;,26 of the babies who had come under his care
,s, five years at Mount Michael Hospital.
n, Daniel was number 727.
NJ. Daniel was ten months old and had been
[luised scientifically from birth. There weren't
l., " parents to interfere because he was an
I, .phan, awaiting adoption. According to the
,,tlarts and tests he should have been model
.r,aby. But Daniel had no more use for science
:, ian for clogged rubber nipple.
l.. He scorned such toys as scientific pegs that
r. was supposed to put into scientific holes.
|, ,e liked to unscrew his crib. He awoke IN the
r;rliddle of the night and sang tuneless little
,ants when the schedule said he should be
toeeping. He upset the hospital dietician by
lifting large meals one day and small meals
J., le next, and gaining weight in spite OF the
NJ nGregularity.
,,1 Il can't understand it, DR.. Alley grum-
lied. "A program like that ought to cause
!, citing and loss of weight"
: Jane Lexington, social service worker in
01arge of adoptions, looked at his stern young
rofile and sighed. What he said was right, in
sway Daniels program was causing fretful-
ess and loss of weight - but it was happen
e'lg to Keith. Maybe" she suggested,
Daniel knows what s best"
ie Nonsense. Ten-months-old babies can't
Jason from cause to effect. can prove it"
y. A series of thumps came from the hospital
,om next to the girls Office. The noise
:, unded vaguely like tank maneuvers. But it
-. as merely Daniel, awaking from his morning
y ap. He would be on hands and knees in his
lib, jerking his body backward and forward
: make the crib ride around the room.
~ IF he goes on this way" Keith complained,
he's going to be very unhealthy child"
- ''If he goes on this way you'll have to re-
,+lforce the walls"
-, You talk as if you were proud of Daniel"
'Oh, Keith, he's the cutest baby who
liver ="
Cute" He tasted the word like bitter
:1,ledicine. The word has no standing in the
..:1edical lexicon It's meaningless.
"You ought to watch him when I'm tucking
N his covers Then you'd admit he's cute"
He stared at her as if she had interesting
'ymptoms. You tuck him into bed?"
-. "Oh, yes seldom leave at night until he's
sleep"
:. Watching over him like mother, eh?"
% why - maybe you might - no, no! Not
1T all like that!'
~, 1t was too late. He was nodding grimly over
lis diagnosis. Now there would be trouble.
The wasn't supposed to watch like mother
liver the babies she was given to place for
:. a.doption. She was supposed to be very objec-
i've "a sort of sterilizing machine through
}hich the babies passed to foster parents.
md she had been objective with other babies.
~)aniel was the only one who had made her
y,ant to sing nursery rhymes and play pat
A-cake
you have mother
! / /. ! J !. ] ] !. ! ! : ! ! 1 !: / |
Complex" he said, ~ oo'
.peaking as coldly as if hoI
epoftng on her appen-
tx. She almost ex- d. v.
itected him to add, 1T
ill have to come out"
"a Really, Keith, it's sSss b b
lust that know how ~
Wo handle Daniel better
eshan anyone else.'