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<h2>CHAPTER XXXV</h2> <h3>“HOME, JOHN”</h3></div> <p>In December of the following year Frances came into her mother’s room one afternoon, drawing on her gloves.</p> <p>“Your new gown is very pretty,” her mother said. “Where are you calling?”</p> <p>“I have bridge at the Warrens’ at four,” she answered. “But I thought I might have time before that to drop in at Don’s. He has telephoned me half a dozen times to call and see his baby, and I suppose he’ll keep on until I go.”</p> <p>“You really ought to go.”</p> <p>Frances became petulant. “Oh, I know it, but––after all, a baby <i>isn’t</i> interesting.”</p> <p>“They say it’s a pretty baby. It’s a boy, isn’t it?”</p> <p>“I don’t know. Why don’t you come along with me?”</p> <p>“I’m not dressed, dear, but please to extend my congratulations.”</p> <div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><SPAN name='page_330' name='page_330'></SPAN>330</span></div> <p>“Yes, mother.”</p> <p>As John started to close the door of the limousine, Frances glanced at her watch.</p> <p>“I wish to call at Mr. Pendleton’s, but I must be at the Warrens’ at four promptly. How much time must I allow?”</p> <p>“A half hour, Miss.”</p> <p>“Very well, John.”</p> <p>Nora took her card, and came back with the request that she follow upstairs. “The baby’s just waked up,” Nora said.</p> <p>Frances was disappointed. If she had to see a baby, she preferred, on the whole, seeing it asleep.</p> <p>Mrs. Pendleton came to the nursery door with the baby in her arms––or rather a bundle presumably containing a baby.</p> <p>“It’s good of you to come,” she smiled. “I think he must have waked up just to see you.”</p> <p>She spoke unaffectedly and with no trace of embarrassment, although when Nora presented the card she had for a second become confused. She had hoped that Don would be at home when this moment came.</p> <div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><SPAN name='page_331' name='page_331'></SPAN>331</span></div> <p>“You’re sure it’s convenient for me to stay?” questioned Frances uneasily.</p> <p>“Quite,” answered Mrs. Pendleton. “I––I want you to see him when he’s good-natured.”</p> <p>She crossed the room to the window, and removed a layer of swaddling clothes very gently. And there, revealed, lay Don, Jr. His face was still rather red, and his nose pudgy; but when he opened his eyes Frances saw Don’s eyes. It gave her a start.</p> <p>“He has his father’s eyes,” said the mother.</p> <p>“There’s no doubt of that,” exclaimed Frances.</p> <p>“And his nose––well, he hasn’t much of any nose yet,” she smiled.</p> <p>“He seems very small––all over.”</p> <p>“He weighed ten pounds this morning,” said the mother.</p> <p>Don, Jr., was waving his arms about, rather feebly, but with determination.</p> <p>“He is very strong,” the mother informed her. “Don declares that he has all the earmarks of a football player.”</p> <p>It seemed odd to hear this other speak so <span class='pagenum pncolor'><SPAN name='page_332' name='page_332'></SPAN>332</span> familiarly of Don. Frances glanced up quickly––and met Mrs. Pendleton’s eyes. It was as if the two challenged each other. But Frances was the first to turn away.</p> <p>“Would you like to hold him a minute?” asked Mrs. Pendleton.</p> <p>Frances felt her breath coming fast.</p> <p>“I’m afraid I’d be clumsy.”</p> <p>“Hold out your arms and I’ll put him in them.”</p> <p>Frances held out her arms, and Mrs. Pendleton gently laid the baby across them.</p> <p>“Now hold him up to you,” she said.</p> <p>Frances obeyed. The sweet, subtle aroma of his hair reached her. The subtle warmth of his body met hers. As the mystic eyes opened below her eyes, a crooning lullaby hidden somewhere within her found its way to her throat and there stuck. She grew dizzy and her throat ached. Don, Jr., moved uneasily.</p> <p>“He wants to come back now,” said the mother as she took him.</p> <p>“Good-bye,” whispered Frances. “I may come again?”</p> <p>“Come often,” smiled Mrs. Pendleton.</p> <div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><SPAN name='page_333' name='page_333'></SPAN>333</span></div> <p>Frances tiptoed from the room, and tiptoed all the way downstairs and through the hall.</p> <p>As she stepped into the limousine, she said to John: “Home, please.”</p> <p>“But you said you must be at the Warrens’ at four,” John respectfully reminded her.</p> <p>She sank back wearily in the seat.</p> <p>“Home, John, please,” she repeated.</p> <p style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:1em'>THE END</p> <hr class='pb' /> <div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> <ANTIMG alt='advertisement' src='images/a349.jpg' /></div> <hr class='pb' /> <div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> <ANTIMG alt='advertisement' src='images/a350.jpg' /></div> <hr class='pb' /> <div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> <ANTIMG alt='advertisement' src='images/a351.jpg' /></div> <div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> <ANTIMG alt='advertisement' src='images/a356.jpg' /></div> <hr class='pb' /> <div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> <ANTIMG alt='advertisement' src='images/a353.jpg' /></div> <hr class='pb' /> <div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> <ANTIMG alt='advertisement' src='images/a354.jpg' /></div> <hr class='pb' /> <div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> <ANTIMG alt='advertisement' src='images/a355.jpg' /></div> <hr class='pb' /> <div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'> <ANTIMG alt='advertisement' src='images/a356.jpg' /></div>   <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />

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