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Each time I left her room, I went outside to find a place to retch I ith fear and dread I wished I had not seduced Robbie, wished I had heeded Kevin's advice I hoped that the child in er I silently begged God to forgive me and deliver me

At last the dawn broke and with it ca room I had awakened Lily to help me dress; I paced before the fireplace John sat with his head in his hands, leaping up with every sound from Cathy's room The unfamiliar sound of the infant's cry lifted both our heads, and his face was flooded with joy and relief I went toward him and held out o up and see," I said "I shall return for you shortly"

The bairn's cries were loud when I opened the door; my ears hummed inside at the racket I looked toward the bed; Cathy lay still, her eyes closed My heart stopped, and I looked at Susan, and the ain Her eyes opened, and she sain, and I hurried to her side

"Jessie! See, I have given John a son!" she whispered

"A son!" I said, and my tears fell onto her hand "Oh, Cathy! Cathy! What joy! What blessing!" I babbled with relief "Thank God! Thank God!"

"You show him to John," she said "I want you to"

"Oh! Oh, I? Oh, Cathy surely you wish to present his son to him yourself!"

"I do not want John to see me this way," she said "I wish to rest and compose myself first"

"Nonsense," I said "I shall help you When the midwife is finished, I will dress your hair, and you shall present John with his son I will not do that for you"

Her eyes were shocked for a moment; but Cathy would always relent on the rare occasions when she kneas right "Very well, then, Jessie dear," she whispered, closing her eyes A spasm of pain twisted her face, and I looked at Susan with alar ladies!" said the midwife "You may return in a little while"

Susan and I went out of the roo John stood at the bottom of the stairs; suddenly I realized that I had not looked at the baby