He could not say to her:  “Well, if you feel very tired and faint in the mornings, breakfast in bed; if you feel walking too much for you at the moment, use your car; tempt your appetite; nourish yourself well.  And later, when the spring comes, we must tell your husband to give you some nice week-ends at the sea.”  But, taking her hand and patting it kindly, he substituted this:  “Well, Mrs. Kerr, I’m glad to hear that you’ve plenty to occupy yourself; it’s a great thing to keep busy, specially at these times.  As a matter of fact, there’s no finer exercise than a little normal housework.  And you must walk, too; that walk to market in the mornings is just splendid.  As for your appetite, you must try not to get faddy; it’s a woman’s duty to keep up her strength, you know.  I congratulate you most heartily on the good news I have just been able to give you.”

“Thank you,” said Marie, frightened but exultant, “and may I—­what is the fee?”

“Five shillings, please,” he replied, after a slight pause.

Then Marie was out again in the waiting-room with Julia, to whom she nodded mysteriously, and whose hand she squeezed.  The doctor escorted both girls to the door, and looked after them for a moment; but it was an ordinary story, and the world must go round.

Julia and Marie walked all the way home, talking of what was going to happen next September.

They sat for a long while on the hearthrug in the dining-room when they reached home, talking about next September; and when at last Julia left, Marie still sat there hoping and planning, thinking of this perfect flat with a baby in it, and longing for Osborn’s return to share the unparalleled news.

She had seen little, intimately, of babies; in the streets and parks she met them, and said:  “What sweets!  What precious things!” And she had thought more than once how beautiful it would be to own one, sitting in its well-built perambulator with the clean white lacy covers and cushions, and the starched nurse primly wheeling it.

There would be knitting to do, too; endless shawls, swallowing up pounds of the best white wool; and fleecy boots and caps and vests.  When the next housekeeping allowance was paid, some of it should be stealthily diverted to this delicious end.

The clock struck eleven; for some while now Marie had ceased to notice how musical was its sound, as compared with other people’s clocks, but to-night she noticed it anew.  It was like little silver bells pealing; there ought to be birth-bells as well as wedding-bells.

Osborn was late, but Marie waited up for him, untired.  She mended the fire, for he might come in cold, and they were not going to bed yet.  No!  They must sit and discuss next September.  How would Osborn receive the news?  What did men really think about these things?  It was impossible they could feel the full measure of women’s gladness, but in part, surely, they shared it?