been mine if the fall had really injured
Julie; and a sudden thought shook me.
She might, after all, have been hurt in
some way that would show itself later
on. I yearned to look upon her, to see
if all her sweetness and softness was in-
tact. It seemed to me that if I could
not see her the rising grief in me would
break, and I would sob aloud. I didn't
want to do that. I had no notion to
call any attention to myself whatever,
but see the baby I must. So, softly,
and like a thief, I opened the door com-
municating with the little dressing-
room in which Julie's cradle stood. The
curtain had been drawn and it was al-
most dark, but I found my way to
Julie's bassinet. I could not quite see
her, but the delicate odour of her
breath came up to me, and I found her
little hand and slipped my finger in it.
It was gripped in a baby pressure, and
I stood there enraptured, feeling as if
a flower had caressed me. I was
thrilled through and through with hap-
piness, and with love for this little crea-
ture, whom my selfishness might have
destroyed. There was nothing in what
had happened during this moment or
two when I stood by her side to assure