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 pably into its recesses. The faint, not unpleasant rhythm of the snoring came insistently forward.

Suddenly Maria turned, her face quick with apprehension. She drew her wrapper closely about her, and crossed to Porgy's door. With only half of the distance traversed, she heard a sound from the room. It was more of a muffled thump than anything else, and with it, something very like a gasp.

When her hand closed over the knob all was silent again, except that she could hear a long, slightly shuddering breath.

Then came a sound that caused her flesh to prickle with primal terror. It was so unexpected, there in the chill, silent night. It was Porgy's laugh, but different. Out of the stillness it swelled suddenly, deep, aboriginal, lustful. Then it stopped short.

Maria heard the baby cry out; then Bess's voice, sleepy and mystified. "Fuh Gawd' sake, Porgy, what yuh laughin' 'bout?"

"Dat all right, honey," came the answer "Don't yuh be worryin'. Yuh gots Porgy now, an' he look atter he 'oman. Ain't I done tells yuh: Yuh gots er man now."

Maria turned the knob, entered the room, and closed the door quickly behind her.