Just then there came a low, long groan from the backroom, and at the same time some one came into the parlor. I was too excited to notice who it was; and George Perry, when he heard the groan, stopped short and exclaimed:
"Good God! who's that?"
"Your wife," said I, almost ready to scream, I was so wrought up.
He hid his face in his hands, and trembled all over.
There was half a minute's silence—it seemed half an hour—and then we heard a long, thin wail from a voice that hadn't ever been heard on earth before.
"What's that?" said Perry, in a hoarse whisper, his eyes starting out of his head, and hands thrown up.
"Your baby—just born," said I. "Will you take rooms for your family now, George Perry?" I asked.
"I sha'n't stand in the way," said a voice behind me.
I turned around quickly, just in time to see, with her eyes full of tears, the woman who had come with George go out the door and shut the hall-door behind her.
"Thank God!" said George, dropping on his knees.