'Miss Elphinstone and Miss Roach and Miss Prattley and all the rest of them.'
'What nonsense.'
'Oh yes they are! And I imagine they're after you as well, but you won't admit it.'
'No, my friend, they are not after me.'
'Then may I ask precisely what you are doing down here?'
A bit of a stumper for him, that one. I could see he didn't know how to answer it.
'I'll bet you were fooling around with Miss Roach and got yourself swallowed up just the same as I did. I'll bet that's exactly what happened, only you're ashamed to admit it.'
He looked suddenly so wan and defeated when I said this that I felt sorry for him.
'Would you like me to sing you a song?' I asked.
But he got up without answering and went quietly out into the corridor.
'Cheer up,' I called after him. 'Don't be depressed. There is always some balm in Gilead.'
Genesis and Catastrophe
A TRUE STORY
'Everything is normal,' the doctor was saying. 'Just lie back and relax.' His voice was miles away in the distance and he seemed to be shouting at her. 'You have a son.'
'What?'
'You have a fine son. You understand that, don't you? A fine son. Did you hear him crying?'
'Is he all right, Doctor?'
'Of course he is all right.'
'Please let me see him.'
'You'll see him in a moment'
'You are certain he is all right?'
'I am quite certain.'
'Is he still crying?'
'Try to rest. There is nothing to worry about.'
'Why has he stopped crying, Doctor? What happened?'
'Don't excite yourself, please. Everything is normal.'
'I want to see him. Please let me see him.'
'Dear lady,' the doctor said, patting her hand. 'You have a fine strong healthy child. Don't you believe me when I tell you that?'
'What is the woman over there doing to him?'
'Your baby is being made to look pretty for you,' the doctor said. 'We are giving him a little wash, that is all. You must spare us a moment or two for that.'