Page:Bad Girl (1929).pdf/283

 He looked up at her as she came into the room. "Why don't you take it easy?" he asked. "What's the idea, capering around?"

"Oh, I'm so happy to be going home!"

"Well, take it easy."

He got up and reached for his hat. It was last year's straw. He put it on, and Dot felt a little sorry for it, it looked so wilted and weather-beaten in comparison with the new blue suit.

He walked toward the door, and Dot said, "Say, would you mind holding the kid a minute while I get my hat and cape?"

"Lay him on the bed," said Eddie.

"Maybe he'll roll off. Here, he won't bite you."

Dot put the baby in Eddie's arms and went to get her things. Eddie walked out of the room. He stood in the hall for a minute looking down at the baby. Then he kissed him. Could you squeeze them while they were so young? Well, maybe a little bit. Eddie squeezed him a little bit, and the baby fixed an inquisitive blue gaze upon him.

"That was squeezin', old fellow," Eddie whispered to the baby. "Should we do it again?"

Miss Parsons came out of a room, and Eddie handed her the baby and ran down the stairs. Dot found young Edward dozing in the nurse's arms. A wave of anger broke over Dot. He couldn't even hold the kid for a second. Who the hell did he think he was, that he was too good to hold his own kid? She grabbed the baby from Miss Parsons and started down the stairs.

"Need some help? Aren't you a bit wobbly?"

"No, thanks, Miss Parsons. I can make it. Good-by."

There was no sign of Eddie on the first floor. She sat down and waited. Where had he gone? She straightened