Throwing back the coverlets of the bassinette, Alfred stared at the empty bed in silence, then he quickly turned to the two anxious women. “Where is he?” he asked, his eyes wide with terror.
Zoie's lips opened to answer, but no words came.
Alfred's eyes turned to Aggie. The look on her face increased his worst fears. “Don't tell me he's——” he could not bring himself to utter the word. He continued to look helplessly from one woman to the other.
In vain Zoie again tried to answer. Aggie also made an unsuccessful attempt to speak. Then, driven to desperation by the strain of the situation, Zoie declared boldly: “He's out.”
“Out?” echoed Alfred in consternation.
“With Jimmy,” explained Aggie, coming to Zoie's rescue as well as she knew how.
“Jimmy!” repeated Alfred in great astonishment.
“Just for a breath of air,” explained Zoie sweetly She had now entirely regained her self-possession.
“Isn't he very young to be out at night?” asked Alfred with a puzzled frown.
“We told Jimmy that,” answered Aggie, amazed at the promptness with which each succeeding lie presented itself. “But you see,” she continued, “Jimmy is so crazy about the child that we can't do anything with him.”