"Let's hear her SAY it," demanded O'Flarety.
"You SHALL hear her," answered Alfred, with confidence. Then he
beckoned to the officer to approach, explaining that Zoie was
very weak.
"Sure," said the officer; then planting himself directly in front
of Zoie's half closed eyes, he thrust the babies upon her
attention.
"Look, Zoie!" pleaded Alfred. "Look!"
Zoie opened her eyes to see three small red faces immediately
opposite her own.
"Take them away!" she cried, with a frantic wave of her arm,
"take them away!"
"What?" exclaimed Alfred in astonishment.
"What did I tell you?" shouted O'Flarety. This hateful reminder
brought Alfred again to the protection of his young and
defenceless wife.
"The excitement has unnerved her," he said to the officer.
"Ain't you about done with my kids?" asked O'Flarety, marvelling
how any man with so little penetration as the officer, managed to
hold down a "good payin' job."
"What do you want for your proof anyway?" asked the mother. But
Alfred's faith in the validity of his new parenthood was not to
be so easily shaken.
"My wife is in no condition to be questioned," he declared.
"She's out of her head, and if you don't----"
He stepped suddenly, for without warning, the door was thrown
open and a second officer strode into their midst dragging by the
arm the reluctant Jimmy.
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