"Yes, dear," assented Zoie sweetly, "that's Alfred."
What Jimmy and the women saw next appeared to be the dance of a
whirling dervish; as a matter of fact, it was merely a man, mad
with delight, clasping two infants in long clothes and circling
the room with them.
When Alfred could again enunciate distinctly, he rushed to Zoie's
side with the babes in his arms.
"My darling," he exclaimed, "why didn't you tell me?"
"I was ashamed," whispered Zoie, hiding her head to shut out the
sight of the red faces pressed close to hers.
"My angel!" cried Alfred, struggling to control his complicated
emotions; then gazing at the precious pair in his arms, he cast
his eyes devoutly toward heaven, "Was ever a man so blessed?"
Zoie peeped from the covers with affected shyness.
"You love me just as much?" she queried.
"I love you TWICE as much," declared Alfred, and with that he
sank exhausted on the foot of the bed, vainly trying to teeter
one son on each knee.
CHAPTER XXII
When Jimmy gained courage to turn his eyes in the direction of
the family group he had helped to assemble, he was not reassured
by the reproachful glances that he met from Aggie and Zoie. It
was apparent that in their minds, he was again to blame for
something. Realising that they dared not openly reproach him
before Alfred, he decided to make his escape while his friend was
still in the room.
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