Page:Bad Girl (1929).pdf/267

 "He's dead," Dot cried. "I know it. I felt it the minute I woke up."

"Oh, honey, no," Mrs. Vernon soothed.

"You're a foolish woman, working yourself up over nothing. Your baby's well." Miss Brown was very angry.

"Listen, Miss Brown." Mrs. Vernon's voice was sharply authoritative. "You're the foolish woman. You only have to carry the baby in here for one second to make everything right for everybody concerned. Now, why don't you do it?"

"Because for tonight I'm bossing this ward," said Miss Brown. "I'll not give in to a silly woman who can't sleep and thinks it is a good time for some excitement."

"You've lost your professional poise," commented Mrs. Vernon.

"He's dead," Dot said again. "If he was alive she'd bring him in if only so that she could go back to her book in peace. My baby's dead."

"Your baby isn't dead, honey," Mrs. Vernon said. "He isn't dead."

"Oh, he is, he is."

"He is not," said Miss Brown.

"Then let me see him."

"No."

The sheet and blanket which covered Dot were suddenly flung aside as she leaped from the bed. She stood before Miss Brown, her breath coming in rapid gasps.

"I'm going to see my baby."

"You're going to get back in bed."

"After I've seen my baby."

Mrs. Vernon's voice came dimly to Dot's ears. "Honey, you'll kill yourself."

Miss Brown laid hold of Dot with two strong hands and sought to throw her back in bed.