When he smiled at Bessie he took hold of the foot-board of the crib to steady himself. She was six, and the pink dress of the doll looked pretty against her brown curls and eyes.
It was the hardest job he had ever tackled. He said slowly, and his face was innocent and friendly:
“Where did you get that new dollie Baby?”
“Dr. Cub jes’ gave her to me....”
Snod reeled from the bed and staggered toward that of Lil Parkins. The other women were still asleep. Some of them were snoring. He leaned over and peered behind the drawn curtain.
Lil’s eyes were wild with fear and her face began to contract.
“Stop it!” Snod’s voice was harsh and heavy. “Tell me! You all right?”
She nodded weakly and her intense features began kaleidoscoping her thoughts:
“God Almighty! It’s Dr. Cub Sterling. I trapped him ... cold.... He thought I was asleep and when he leaned over me ... with the hypodermic....” her profile shadow convulsed against the white pillow, “I ... opened ... my eyes. He had pulled the curtains to ... get me...!
“I said, ‘You!’ and started to scream ... and he drew back and his eyes, Snod. Oh, God ... run mad, together. Crazy! And then he cocked his left shoulder, shrugged, lowered his curly head and bowed himself ... out.