"Perry, we can not! We must not! For Winnie's sake!" "Did Papa Farley and the woman have the child, Papa?" "Oh, Winnie," Mrs. Price protested, "how can you ask such things!" Mr. Price, hands in pockets, rose on his toes and sucked his mustache in and out. "They committed every sin which the flesh has been heir to since the fall of man, so I suppose they had a child too." "You don't know?" "I have it on very good authority that they did." "The child, of course, was spirited away." "And where did the woman go?" "Out West. To Kansas or Texas. Something." Still he rose on his toes. The flavor of his mustache seemed to give him a peculiar relish. "Oh, Papa, how awful! I didn't know it was as bad as that." Winnie dilated with her secret. A quick passionate resolution of triumph shot through her. Her eyes shone tragically. "Winnie--my dear--you are in no state to hear things like this," Mrs. Price said. There was a light knock at the door. "Psh!" Mr. Price started a little, but continued to elevate and lower himself on his toes and stare at the ceiling. Winnie clutched her hands to her breast. "Come in." Mrs. Price lifted her trembling voice. Alice's face in the doorway. None of them could look at her. Winnie met the face at last. "Bobby's awake." "Isn't that nice. Now I will see the dear baby." "Yes, Mother. Come, Father." Winnie, with a high dreamy expression of conscious pain, followed Alice out. * * * * * The bedroom, dark, cluttered by too great an attempt at coziness, had grown a little shabby. The yellow shades were drawn under the lace curtains. The blue carpet showed here and there a warp of colorless cords. On the sofa the velvet and plush pillows were embroidered with mottos and flowers. There were a heavy bureau, an old-fashioned bed, and Bobby's crib. May slept in the nursery across the hall. Bobby, his eyes still opaque with sleep, sat upright in bed, a dreamy look of disapprobation on his face. Mrs. Price could say nothing for a moment, then, "How lovely! How lovely! What a beautiful healthy child!" Winnie caught him in her arms. Mrs. Farley moved forward, feebly shocked. "He's too heavy! Oh, you mustn't do that, Winnie!" Winnie turned and gave him to her mother. Bobby's fat body was sodden and relaxed in his grandmother's arms. Mrs. Price's resigned hands moved over him agitatedly. "He's so beautiful!" Feeling ashamed, she knew not why, she kissed him. "Look, Perry!" "Fine boy," said Mr. Price. Winnie danced about. "I knew you'd think so." Mr. Farley waited sheepishly, approving with his patience. "We're all proud of him," said Alice shortly. Mrs. Price glanced up with a start. "He's a fine grandson," she declared after a minute. There was something defiant in the way she stroked his hair, but she remained very gentle and ladylike.