The Andre Norton Megapack - 15 Classic Novels and Short Stories

and then there was another silence until Philippine got up and searched aimlessly for cigarettes. Fredericka handed her one from a packet in her pocket. Philippine lit it, and as she did so, Fredericka noticed that her hand shook uncontrollably.
    “You’re terribly upset, Philippine,” Fredericka said quietly, and then added, “I’m glad you came to see me—that is, if I can be any help.” The last words were a question.
    “Oh my God,” Philippine said, drawing in her breath and letting a fine trickle of smoke out through her small even teeth, “I’ve got to talk to you—g ot to. Will—will Jim leave us alone?”
    At that moment the telephone shrilled from the desk beside them and both women jumped. “We’re a couple of coots,” Fredericka said with an attempt at her ordinary voice. She reached an arm for the receiver and said: “Hello” rather fiercely.
    “Is that the bookshop?” a woman’s voice asked.
    “Yes.”
    “Is Jim Brown there?”
    “Yes, yes, he is. I’ll just call him.”
    Fredericka was aware that she felt both disappointed and relieved. She had dared to hope that it might be Peter calling from Washington, but for some reason which she didn’t stop to analyse, she didn’t want to talk to him in front of Philippine. She hurried out of the room with a muttered word of apology.
    Jim looked worried as he came in and picked up the receiver, and increasingly worried as he carried on a monosyllabic conversation.
    Both women listened and both tried not to listen. After a series of yes’s and no’s, Jim finally said: “I left Dr. Scott’s number written out there by the phone.” There was some reply to this and then he said firmly: “Look here, Susie, you know I can’t. I’ve been off all day and I’m on duty. You know that.” It was obvious that Susie didn’t. There was a splutter of sound in the receiver. “Get Maud to come over, then,” Jim said desperately. “Gee, Susie, I can’t help it.” There was another eruption of sound and then, with a gesture of helplessness, Jim laid the receiver back on its stand.
    “I couldn’t help hearing, Jim,” Fredericka said quickly. “What’s the matter? Is it the baby?”
    “Yes, Miss Wing. Susie’s wild—says he’s took bad.”
    “Did she call Dr. Scott?”
    “He’s out.”
    “He was up at the hospital when I was there a few minutes ago,” Philippine said quietly. “Why don’t you try to catch him there before he leaves.”
    “I will then.” He looked to Fredericka who nodded toward the telephone. Jim managed to get on to Dr. Scott who promised to go in to see the baby as soon as he possibly could. But as this would not be for another half an hour, he gave Jim brief instructions for the immediate care of the baby.
    When the anxious father had hung up the receiver for the second time, he asked Fredericka if he could call his wife and pass on the doctor’s message. Fredericka agreed at once, and then another thought occurred to her.
    “Look, Jim,” she said quickly, “why don’t you run home and be with your wife until Dr. Scott comes? I’ve got Philippine here.” She turned to the woman beside her. “You can stay for a bit can’t you?”
    “Of course,” Philippine said. Then, after a moment, she added suddenly, “But look, there’s no need for Jim to come back at all until morning. I can stay the night with you, Fredericka. I mean, if you’d like me to.” Then seeing Fredericka’s hesitation, she said, “I don’t need a bed. I can sleep on the couch. I’d much rather, than go back to the Farm.”
    “But you can’t do that, Philippine. It’s so lonely down here. You wouldn’t sleep a wink, would you?”
    “Of course. You forget that I’ve not lived a sheltered life—” For a moment Fredericka thought she was going to add “like yours” in one of her sudden flashes of bitterness. Instead she went on quickly, “Don’t stand there and stare at me, Jim. Scram.” She pronounced the word shcram, but Jim did not mistake its meaning. After a quick look to Fredericka for her approval he hurried out. Everything had happened so suddenly that Fredericka felt dazed. She lit a cigarette and tried to collect her thoughts.
    “You don’t mind, Fredericka? You are just as glad to have me, are you not? I would so much—oh so much—rather be here—than—than—t here.” She waved a vague hand in the general direction of the Farm.
    “Mind? I think you’re a saint, Philippine. I’d be, well,