Page:To-morrow Morning (1927).pdf/42

 before Joe came home from his moonlight gallivanting. And while her body stayed motionless she saw herself climbing the stairs, taking off her tea-rose-colored gown, getting into the wide lonely bed.

Oh, I'm so lonely! My little precious baby, I'll love you so much; you'll comfort mother in her loneliness. How will Joe feel when I tell him? Oh, how can I tell him? I don't know how, I don't know how! How could he have gone off with another woman to-night of all nights, after I'd slaved and slaved to have the dinner nice for him, when I felt so dreadfully? I don't believe she ever ordered the herdic at all.

The front door shut, and Joe called her.

"Kate! Katie! Where are you?"

Then she heard him in the dining room, and made herself begin to sob again.

"Why, my Katie! What are you doing out here in the kitchen? What's the matter?"

"N-nothing."

"Tell me, darling."

"Nothing. Oh, Joe! I'm so hideous and stupid, and I feel so sick, and I wanted to tell you something, and you went off with her"

"Kate, you're crazy! You're lovely looking."

She lifted her face, mottled from crying, a strand of hair stuck to her wet cheek, her eyes and nose red and swollen, and saw that he miraculously meant it.

"I had to go home with her, you know I did, but I