“I wish I could—­poor girl!—­God forgive me!—­what can I do?—­I wish I was dead!”

“You wouldn’t be any use to anybody then but the Evil One, George Perry, and you’re not ready to see him just yet,” said I.

Just then there came a low, long groan from the backroom, and at the same time some one came into the parlor.  I was too excited to notice who it was; and George Perry, when he heard the groan, stopped short and exclaimed: 

“Good God! who’s that?”

“Your wife,” said I, almost ready to scream, I was so wrought up.

He hid his face in his hands, and trembled all over.

There was half a minute’s silence—­it seemed half an hour—­and then we heard a long, thin wail from a voice that hadn’t ever been heard on earth before.

“What’s that?” said Perry, in a hoarse whisper, his eyes starting out of his head, and hands thrown up.

“Your baby—­just born,” said I.  “Will you take rooms for your family now, George Perry?” I asked.

“I sha’n’t stand in the way,” said a voice behind me.

I turned around quickly, just in time to see, with her eyes full of tears, the woman who had come with George go out the door and shut the hall-door behind her.

“Thank God!” said George, dropping on his knees.

“Amen!” said I, hurrying out of the parlor and locking the door behind me.

I thought if he wanted to pray while on his knees he shouldn’t be disturbed, while if he should suddenly be tempted to follow his late companion, I shouldn’t be held at the Judgment day for any share of the guilt.

I found the doctor bustling about, getting ready to go, and Mrs. Perry looking very peaceful and happy, with a little bundle hugged up close to her.

“I guess the Lord will bring him now,” said Mrs. Perry, “if it’s only to see his little boy.”

“Like enough, my dear,” said I, thanking the Lord for opening the question, for my wits were all gone by this time, and I hadn’t any more idea of what to do than the man in the moon; “but,” said I, “He won’t bring him till you’re well, and able to bear the excitement.”

“Oh, I could bear it any time now,” said she, very calmly, “It would seem just as natural as could be to have him come in and kiss me, and see his baby and bless it.”

“Would it?” I asked, with my heart all in a dance.  “Well, trust the Lord to do just what’s right.”

I hurried out and opened the parlor-door.  There stood George Perry, changed so I hardly knew him.  He seemed years older; his thick lips seemed to have suddenly grown thin, and were pressed tightly together, and there was such an appealing look from his eyes.

“Be very careful now,” I whispered, “and you may see them.  She expects you, and don’t imagine anything has gone wrong.”

I took him into the room, and she looked up with a face like what I hope the angels have.  I didn’t see anything more, for my eyes filled up all of a sudden, so I hurried up-stairs into an empty room, and spent half an hour crying and thanking the Lord.