“How long’s it been like this?” Lou demanded sharply.
“Only just a few minutes. It–it seemed like a sort of fit that he had.” The young woman turned to her husband. “Jack, this little girl stopped by and said she knew all about babies, and the man with her, he’s gone for─”
“I want some hot water, quick!” Lou interrupted the explanations brusquely. “Boiling hot, and a tub or a big pan. Have you got the kettle on?”
121“Y-yes, but I’m afraid I’ve let the fire go out,” the woman faltered. “I was so worried─”
With an exclamation of impatience Lou rewrapped the baby which she had been examining and thrust it into the man’s arms. Then turning to the woman with exasperation in her eyes and voice she demanded:
“I s’pose you can find some dry chips, somewhere, can’t you? If I don’t get this baby into a hot bath right away it’ll be all up with him.”
The woman gasped, and ran out of the back door while the young man in the chair groaned:
“It’s awful to sit here helpless and watch him suffer! If I could only put my foot to the floor─”
“How old is he, anyway?” Lou, who was busily searching the shelf of groceries, asked over her shoulder. “He looks to be under a year.”
“Ten months, miss,” he answered. “What do you think is the matter with him?”