— Eddie... I cannot go there... I shall never be able to.

And he stopped the car... She was sobbing, murmuring: Every one of them will sit there talking about her child, and my heart will be torn to shreds, because I have lost mine... my little one lying there.

And he passed his hand over her hair... over her head, bowed like a flower under the storm... and he said slowly:

— Susie... we must bear up, darling... Six months have gone by and your grief is still what it was... But never mind — come, let us go home.

The next day found her in the depths of sorrow... He went off to his work and she went out to the market... What did she want to buy...? Nothing... Did she go there, every time she went — and how often she went! — to buy something...? She was escaping from the house full of memories... And then she killed time gazing at the shop windows... and last of all — and this was the chief thing — she studied the faces of the children walking with their

mothers, children the age her own child had been when he went, in his second year... But why did she do it...? Did she want to feed her grief and keep it at its sharpest...? Perhaps so.

She went to the market — and suddenly her eye fell on a woman: a mother tying her little boy with a leather strap fastened about his waist, walking beside him... They passed her... The mother pale-faced and quiet, the little one struggling to free himself from his bond... And she found herself saying to the mother... Why do you tie him like that...? Is he a puppy to be led...? The mother stopped and answered politely... He slips out of my hand and I am afraid something may happen to him in the crowd — then she murmured... If I had anyone at home I would have left him there until I came back.

She looked poor, but her speech was well-bred... And Susie said... Do you come to the market often? And the woman answered, while her child tugged at the strap... I work in a hotel, madam... and every day I must buy everything the hotel kitchen needs.

The little one had given up his struggle and stood staring into the lady's face... She felt herself smiling at him... Good heavens, he was exactly her child's age, and in his bluish-gray eyes and his little round mouth there was something that told her how closely he resembled him...

And she heard herself say... Give me the strap, and go buy whatever you like and come back... The woman answered eagerly... But I may be late... And besides, he may trouble you... And Susie answered... You can be away

a full hour, and you will find us here.

The mother went off... A few minutes later the little one, his tether undone, was eating a piece of candy with one hand while the other held Susie's hand, and the two of them strolled along the pavement.

An hour later the mother came back, exclaiming... Oh, it is a blessing from heaven... In one hour I have bought what usually takes me two... How much I owe you, madam!

And Susie found herself saying... Bring him here every day and you will find me waiting for you... But wait — don't you know such-and-such a street...?

And the woman said... Yes, I know it — it is near here.

Susie said: And the house numbered 290, with a garden in front of it?

And the woman said eagerly... I know it... yes, I know it, madam...

Said Susie... Then bring the little one there tomorrow...

And she brought him... and went off saying, I shall come back quickly, madam... And Susie answered: No — you have two hours, if you like... And the mother left with thanks.

Susie sat thinking... What was it that drew her to this little one? And she remembered that she had forgotten to ask the mother his name, so she asked him himself... And he answered in the darling accent of childhood: My name is John... no... my name is Henry.

Henry... Good God, it was the name of her little one lying there... Had this name come, together with the likeness of age and looks, to stir up all her