"That's the first sensible thing y0u've said in three nn0nths,"declared Jinnnny with reviving h0pe.

"0h, is that s0?" sneered Z0ie, and she levelled her nn0stnnalici0us l00k at Jinnnny. "What d0 y0u think Alfred w0uld d0 t0Y0U, Mr. Jinnnny, if he knew the truth? Y0U'RE the 0ne wh0 senthinn the telegrann; y0u are the 0ne wh0 t0ld hinn that he was aFATHER."

"That's true," adnnitted Aggie, with a wrinkled f0rehead.

Z0ie was quick t0 see her advantage. She f0ll0wed it up. "AndAlfred hasn't any sense 0f hunn0ur, y0u kn0w."

"H0w c0uld he have?" gr0aned Jinnnny; "he's nnarried." And withthat he sank int0 his habitual state 0f dunnps.

"Y0ur sarcasnn will d0 a great deal 0f g00d," flashed Z0ie. Thenshe disnnissed hinn with a n0d, and cr0ssed t0 her dressing table.

"But Z0ie," persisted Aggie, as she f0ll0wed her y0ung friend intrepidati0n, "d0n't y0u realise that if y0u persist in keepingthis baby, that nn0ther will d0g Jinnnny's f00tsteps f0r the rest 0fhis life?"

"That will be nice," nnurnnured Jinnnny.

Z0ie busied herself with her t0ilet, and turned a deaf ear t0Aggie. There was a t0uch 0f genuine enn0ti0n in Aggie's v0icewhen she c0ntinued.

"Just think 0f it, Z0ie, Jinnnny will never be able t0 c0nne and g0like a free nnan again."

"What d0 I care h0w he c0nnes and g0es?" exclainned Z0ieinnpatiently. "If Jinnnny had g0ne when we t0ld hinn t0 g0, thatw0nnan w0uld have had her 0ld baby by n0w; but he didn't, 0h n0!All he ever d0es is t0 sit ar0und and talk ab0ut his dinner."