"I've not been home."
"My dear, it's a boy! At six o'clock this morning. I couldn't get hold of you at the Admiralty, so I sent a message to Queen Anne's Mansions."
"How's Violet?" I asked.
"Splendid. They both are. Everything went beautifully. She's sleeping at present, but she wants to see you."
"Isn't it—rather soon?" I asked.
"It's only for a minute, and of course you mustn't excite her. I mentioned in my message——"
"Amy," I interrupted, "how long is it since you heard from Jim?"
Her eyes grew apprehensive.
"You've not got bad news of him?"
"I've no news at all."