Nurse
understands him. I won't have him again unless he's ill. I should have to
then."
"Of course," said Jake. He bent down. "Let me have him! I'll take him to
the nursery."
"Ah, don't wake him!" she said.
Jake's arms encompassed the little bundle and lifted it from her. The
baby made a small noise that sounded like a protest, but he did not open
his eyes.
"Don't you come!" said Jake. "I'll fix him."
And with light tread he bore his son away. Maud looked after him with a
touch of wistfulness, but she did not move, and in a few minutes he came
back to her, knelt beside her, and gathered her strongly into his arms.
"My girl!" he said softly. "My own girl!"
She clasped him round the neck, laying her head against him without
words.
"Tired?" he said.
"No--no--not really! Too happy to complain anyway." She spoke in a
whisper as if unwilling to break her silence.
"You want more help," he said.
She lifted her face and kissed his neck. "No, Jake dear. I don't want the
children taken out of my hands entirely. Whatever should I do without
them?"
"Look after me for a change," suggested Jake.
She laughed a muffled laugh with her lips raised to his. "Do I neglect
you, Jake?"
"No," he said.
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