ne; we'll pull him through, he's strong."

"No. I've killed him, Jerry."

"Nonsense! He ran the same chance in New York. Now tell me about it from
the beginning."

His matter-of-fact tone steadied her. She told him the details from the
first and he listened intently, nodding as she talked in an undertone
not to disturb the child. It was such a relief to share the present
responsibility with Jerry, no matter how she reserved the initial
responsibility for herself. The thought of Doctor Grant's coming brought
hope. He had taken care of Jerry Jr. since his coming; he knew him
thoroughly--understood. If anybody could do it, he could thwart God.

Jerry Jr. began to cry. The pitiful wail of sick babyhood. It was
agonizing to hear him. Jerry went to him and spoke to him. The baby
turned bright eyes upon him, and a smile that was a spasm of pain
followed.

"Let me take him up. I know I can help him get his breath," he said to
the nurse.

"No, I think you'd better not move him," she said.

"Well, I can't stand here and see him suffer like that," said Jerry.
Deftly and with infinite tenderness he lifted his small son, blankets
and all, holding his head up with one hand. He walked slowly up and down
the room with him, talking to him.

"Look here, old man, this is no kind of welcome to give your daddy!
Can't you brace up a bit and manage a smile? Your old pal, Doctor Grant,
is coming along presently and he'll give you a pill that will make it
all right."

The baby was quiet, watching him, but still that awful gasping for
breath went on.

"Ride-a-cock-horse to Banbury Cross," big Jerry began softly. It seemed
to Jane that she was smothering. She went out on the balcony outside the
room, where that mocking song came faintly, punctuated with Baby's
cries for help.

"God, if you'll let him live till Doctor Grant comes, I'll expiate!" she
said over and over.

Presently she heard the distant train, that was to bring her messenger
of relief, whistle in the station. After what seemed aeons of time a cab
rattled to the house. A quick, alert step came up the steps. She made a
supreme effort at self-control and went back into the room to meet him.

One look at Jerry and the boy--a nod to Jane--then his hat and coat were
off and he had small Jerry in his hands.

"You want me to take charge here?" he asked.

"Yes, yes," Jane murmured.

"Who is the doctor?" he asked the nurse.

She told him.

"Send for him, please."

S