Make it six, if you want. Make it''—with a gesture to the tin box beneath the table—''make it five. It is all the same to me. I fancy I am about to give the business up, anyway.''
The creature in my arms slumbers on, but gives a kick. I feel the rapid palpitation of its heart beneath my fingers, and there is a
fluttering at the top of its swollen head. The woman still watches. The girl Puts ^er hand to her neck, and rubs. Richard searches in his pocket for a cigarette. He says, as he does it, ''Put the damn child down, Maud, won''t you?''
He says it mildly; and I become aware of myself, my hands at a baby''s throat. I set the child carefully down upon the table, among the plates and china cups. At once, the boy takes his knife from the lock of my bag and waves it over its head.
''Ha-ha!'' he cries. ''The lady wouldn''t do it. John Vroom shall have him—lips, nose and ears!''
The girl squeals, as if tickled. The woman says sharply, ''That''s enough. Or are all my infants to be worried out of their cradles, into their graves? Fine farm I should be left with then. Dainty, see to little Sidney before he scalds himself, do. Miss Lilly will suppose herself come among savages. Miss Lilly, I can see you''re a spirited girl. I expected nothing less. But you don''t imagine we mean to hurt you?'' She comes to me again. She cannot stand without touching me—now she puts her hand upon me and strokes my sleeve. ''You don''t imagine you ain''t more welcome here, than anyone?''