Zoie's dreams of rapture at Alfred's home coming had not included such
divided attention as he was now showing her and she was growing more and
more desperate at the turn affairs had taken. She resolved to put a stop
to his nonsense and to make him realise that she and no one else was the
lode star of his existence. She beckoned to Aggie to get out of the
room and to leave her a clear field and as soon as her friend had gone
quietly into the next room, she called impatiently to Alfred who was
still cooing rapturously over the young stranger. Finding Alfred deaf
to her first entreaty, Zoie shut her lips hard, rearranged her pretty
head-dress, drew one fascinating little curl down over her shoulder,
reknotted the pink ribbon of her negligee, and then issued a final and
imperious order for her husband to attend her.
"Yes, yes, dear," answered Alfred, with a shade of impatience. "I'm
coming, I'm coming." And bidding a reluctant farewell to the small
person in the crib, he crossed to her side.
Zoie caught Alfred's hand and drew him down to her; he smiled
complacently.
"Well," he said in the patronising tone that Zoie always resented. "How
is hubby's little girl?"
"It's about time," pouted Zoie, "that you made a little fuss over me for
a change."
"My own!" murmured Alfred. He stooped to kiss the eager lips, but just
as his young wife prepared to lend herself to his long delayed embrace,
his mind was distracted by an uneasy thought. "Do you think that Baby
is----"
He was not permitted to finish the sentence.
Zoie drew him back to her with a sharp exclamation.
"Think of ME for a while," she commanded.
"My darling," expostulated Alfred with a shade of surprise at her
vehemence. "How could I think of anyone else?" Again he stooped to
embrace her and again his mind was directed otherwise. "I wonder if Baby
is warm enough," he said and attempted to rise.
"Wonder about ME for a while," snapped Zoie, clinging to him
determinedly.
Again Alfred looked at her in amazement. Was it possible there was
anything besides Baby worth wondering about? Whether there was or not,
Zoie was no longer to be resisted and with a last regretful look at the
crib, he resigned himself to giving his entire attention to his spoiled
young wife.
Gratified by her hard-won conquest, Zoie now settled herself in Alfred's
arms.