To Alfred's intense surprise, his lips had barely touched Zoie's
fingertips when he felt his head seized in a frantic embrace.
"Alfred, Alfred!" cried Zoie in delight; then she smothered his
face with kisses. As she lifted her head to survey her
astonished husband, she caught the reproving eye of Aggie. With
a weak little sigh, she relaxed her tenacious hold of Alfred,
breathed his name very faintly, and sank back, apparently
exhausted, upon her pillows.
"It's been too much for her," said the terrified young husband,
and he glanced toward Aggie in anxiety.
Aggie nodded assent.
"How pale she looks," added Alfred, as he surveyed the white face
on the pillows.
"She's so weak, poor dear," sympathised Aggie, almost in a
whisper.
Alfred nodded his understanding to Aggie. It was then that his
attention was for the first time attracted toward the crib.
"My boy!" he exclaimed. And again Zoie forgot Aggie's warning
and sat straight up in bed. But Alfred did not see her. He was
making determinedly for the crib, his heart beating high with the
pride of possession.
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.
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