"It's
the Children's Home," she explained. "That awful woman says
Jimmy STOLE her baby!"
"What!" exclaimed Zoie as though such depravity on Jimmy's part
were unthinkable. Then she looked at him accusingly, and asked
in low, measured tones, "DID you STEAL HER BABY, JIMMY?"
"Didn't you tell me to?" asked Jimmy hotly. "Not literally,"
corrected Aggie.
"How else COULD I steal a baby?" demanded Jimmy.
Zoie looked at the unfortunate creature as if she could strangle
him, and Aggie addressed him with a threat in her voice.
"Well, the Superintendent says you've got to bring it straight
back."
"I'd like to see myself!" said Jimmy.
"He sha'n't bring it back," declared Zoie. "I'll not let him!"
"What shall I tell the Superintendent?" asked Aggie, "he's
holding the wire."
"Tell him he can't have it," answered Zoie, as though that were
the end of the whole matter.
"Well," concluded Aggie, "he says if Jimmy DOESN'T bring it back
the mother's coming after it."
"Good Lord!" exclaimed Zoie.
As for Jimmy, he bolted for the door. Aggie caught him by the
sleeve as he passed. "Wait, Jimmy," she said peremptorily.
There was a moment of awful indecision, then something
approaching an idea came to Zoie.
"Tell the Superintendent that it isn't here," she whispered to
Aggie across the footboard. "Tell him that Jimmy hasn't got here
yet.
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