CHAPTER XIX
“HER WAGES, FOOD AND CLOTHING SHE MUST ACCEPT”
Luther Hansen was at the door when John returned, and they entered the sitting room together. Jack was leaning against the bedroom door, and John, who remembered Doctor Morgan’s parting advice, went to close it. The baby ran to his mother, escaping the outstretched hands of the father, who was after him, but the child had miscalculated the opposition this time and was taken firmly into John’s arms and lifted free from the bed.
“Tell Luther to come to me,” Elizabeth whispered.
“Doctor Morgan said——” John began.
“Tell Luther to come to me,” Elizabeth repeated, putting every particle of strength she had into her voice so that by having Luther hear her John would be obliged to comply.
Luther came without having to be told.
“Luther, could you get Hepsie back for me, if you told her Mother Hunter was gone and would not come back?” she asked, falling back into a whisper from sheer weakness.