In the south room, however, it was peaceful and quiet. The wind spent its strength in the north, and here one could listen to the creak of the chair as the old nurse rocked slowly back and forth. Near her, on the bed, upon her back, was a young girl. Her curling brown hair lay a braid on either side of her delicate face. Her eyes were closed, but not in sleep, for every now and then she would move her right arm as though to draw something toward her. At length, opening her eyes, and looking to the far corner of the room, she said: "Mammy, I want it." The old colored woman left her seat and walked to where a cradle stood. "Not right now, lil' lamb." "Why not?" "It done sleep now." The girl turned upon her side and, crooking her arm, rested her head within it. She listened, her brow slightly wrinkled, to the rain as it beat upon the roof of the gallery. Presently: "Why doesn't it cry, mammy?" "Ain't I tole yer, chile, it done sleep. Ain't I tole yer?" Downstairs the man of the house had stepped across the hall and joined a little thin old gentleman who sat close to a blazing fire. "Doctor!" "Yes, George." "Remember Lillias when you gave her to me, eighteen years ago?" "What of it?" "Nothing. How helpless she was. I reckon all baby things are helpless." In lowered voice: "That baby upstairs now. It seems worse being a girl." The doctor made no reply, but crouched by the fire. "It's up to us what their lives shall be, eh? Queen or beggar maid." The man of the house looked forlornly at his silent visitor. "Have a drink?" he asked suddenly. "I'll get you one. Julia fixed it mighty well getting the servants out of the way, but it don't make for hospitality." Turning on him, the doctor raised his head and said, querulously: "Stop talking, can't you, man, and think. What are you going to do?" What was he going to do? He, Judge Ogilvie, did not know what he was going to do. He looked helplessly into his friend's eyes. Rising wearily the doctor went toward the door. "You aren't going?" the man of the house cried in alarm. "Yes, for a little. I've other work to do." "See here, don't leave us like this! Supposing anything happens." "Nothing should happen; only remember she is very weak. I should fear a shock." "But what are we going to do?" "Talk with your wife." The doctor spoke with a note of command. "I'm not the one to say what you should do." He pulled on his coat and, turning, held out his hand to his friend. "I'll be back soon," he said more gently. "I'll be with you through the night." Then he opened the door upon the howling wind and rain and was gone. Judge Ogilvie walked back into the living-room to see his wife standing before the open fire.