in this respect to the time of his arrival.  Names were debated upon daily, until, after many discussions, they made choice of “John,” a title which had done honorable service in Ellen’s family, and which, Edward said, commended itself as being simple and strong.  Meanwhile, though a month passed away without word from the doctor, they waited in confidence.  They had no wish, they told each other, that he should act hastily:  it was merely a question of time; they could afford to be patient.  And at last the doctor sent them a laconic note,—­“Come and see me.”

Dr. Kreiss had a deservedly large practice, and when the Lindsays presented themselves at his office they were obliged to wait until the numerous company of invalids that preceded them could be attended to.  A dead silence prevailed in the room, and both Edward and his wife began to feel uncomfortable after a few minutes had elapsed.  They endeavored to amuse themselves by studying the faces of the doctor’s patients and guessing at their complaints; but this was not enlivening, and Edward at last essayed conversation.  He whispered several things which he thought quite bright and appropriate, but Ellen took them all very seriously and vouchsafed only monosyllables in reply.  It being evident that she was not in a mood for pleasantry, he relapsed into silence.  But he went on to think of sundry occasions upon which he had waited in a certain dark little anteroom at Primary No.—­until the principal might find leisure to flog him.  Having exhausted this subject, he looked about for something to read, and descried some books on a table at the farther end of the room.  He shrank, however, from the idea of walking over to them and back again in a pair of shoes which he knew very well would squeak.  After vainly searching his pockets for a newspaper, he resigned himself to the inevitable, and occupied himself with his watch-chain and in tracing figures on the carpet with his cane.

Finally the doctor got through with the patients who were before them, and the Lindsays were ushered into his presence.

“I’ve got you a splendid boy,” he said, with enthusiasm; whereat they glanced furtively about the room.  “Oh, he isn’t here,” he laughed, “but ready for delivery whenever you say the final word.  I only wish to make sure that you are satisfied with the prospect.  It’s a short story.  The mother died at the child’s birth, about a year and a half ago.  Less than a week ago the father, who was a fine, broad shouldered young fellow engaged in some sort of a shipping business, got an ugly fall on one of the steamers and used himself up pretty thoroughly.  I was called to attend the case, and did my best for the poor fellow; but it was no use.  He died yesterday morning.”

The doctor paused, as if for a leading question.  Ellen was mute, and Edward felt constrained to say something:  so he asked, “Did you know the mother?”