Shortly she came downstairs in her hat and coat. "Jerry, do you suppose you and Anna could get him to bed to-night? I have some errands." "We'll manage," he answered. "Can't I do anything for you?" he added. "No, thanks. I'll be back at dinner time," she replied. Jane finished her errands and dropped in upon Bobs for a little visit. "Baby and Anna and I are going off for a little outing to-morrow. Look after Jerry a bit, will you, Bobs?" "Sure. But where are you going?" "It's a secret." Bobs's eyebrows went up, but she said nothing. "Didn't you ever want to get away from every living soul you know and think your own thoughts for a whole week?" demanded Jane. "Often. Usually my crises come when I'm too poor to go anywhere, though." "Jerry is generous with money, so I can go." "Does he understand this--need?" "I think so." "Well, good luck to you, dear. Be careful of our child and get your think out," laughed Bobs as Jane left. She would have marvelled had she seen her guest stop by the studio, where she and Jerry had begun their experiment, and lay her head against the door for a second, like a troubled child against its mother. Life was so simple then, when she had accepted Jerry's wild proposal; it had grown so complex now, so woven of her own and other people's heart strings. When she arrived at home she found big Jerry beside little Jerry's bed, one small hand clasped about his father's forefinger, while big Jerry sat very still for fear of waking him. Jane smiled at them. "It won't wake him, see," she said, and slowly loosed the tiny fingers. When Anna came up and announced dinner, she told Jane in delighted detail how Jerry had put the baby to bed. He refused to let her touch him, he had done it all himself. "It tickled the baby!" she laughed, as she went off to her kitchen. Later, at the table, they both fought off any return of emotional topics. "Do you know when you leave?" he asked her. "Yes, at ten." "You will let me get you aboard the train?" "We would appreciate it very much, thank you, Jerry." "Shall I tell people you've gone for a visit?" "Yes. I told Bobs." "Is Mrs. Biggs coming?" "Yes. She'll be here when we go. I invited Billy to come, too." "That's right. Quite like old times." "You must go about with your uptown friends and be very gay, so you won't be lonesome." "I'll manage." "I hope the Melisande picture will not be installed before I get back. I want to see that," she said. "I'm nearly through with it, now." "It's your best work, Jerry. I know it is going to be a success for you." He smiled mirthlessly. "Do you remember what I said on our way to be married?" She shook her head. "I don't know why I remember it--wasn't so very brilliant--but it comes to me. I said: 'this is the kind of thing they talked in the tumbrils.' We always face our crises with platitudes, Jane." "Don't most people, Jerry? It's the child in us clinging to what we know, I suppose."