His gentle gray eyes were as pathetic as a frightened lamb’s. Kitty couldn’t bear it. She darted back to the kitchen to tell Mrs. Evans about him.
“He’s been sitting there utterly dejected for the last half hour.”
“He’s Ned Miller,” explained Sally. “I’ve noticed him several times lately—seems awfully depressed.”
“He doesn’t even know they’re dancing and playing games out there in the hall,” Kitty said.
“I’ll see if I can draw him out,” Mrs. Evans volunteered.
She strolled from the kitchen and pretended to be busy at the counter. In a casual manner she addressed Ned, “Wouldn’t you like to dance a bit?”
“No, thanks, I don’t want to dance.” His tone was flat from lack of interest.
“They’re scarce of girls tonight, but we’re not so busy either. I could spare one of the Canteen girls to play a game of checkers with you, if you like.”
Just inside the kitchen door Kitty and Sally listened to Mrs. Evans’s overtures of friendship.
Finally she spoke in a motherly tone. “Son, you’re worried about something. Isn’t there anything I can do for you?”
Then the pleading gray eyes looked up at the motherly face and this time they were swimming in tears. For a moment he seemed to be appraising her. Finding the sympathy of her heart reflected in her eyes he finally blurted, “I—I want to hold a baby.”
Kitty, watching beside Sally in the background fairly held her breath at this unexpected retort.
Ned dug into his pocket and brought out a yellow sheet of paper. The girls saw it was a telegram as he handed it to her.
“Our baby came yesterday. They’re—they’re in California. I—I’ve been so scared for her the last week I haven’t had good sense. I can’t believe it’s all over and she’s all right.”
“Oh that’s wonderful!” exclaimed Mrs. Evans. “And a boy, too. Eight pounds.”
He grew more confidential at her warmth and understanding.
“If—if I could only hold a baby once to see how it feels. I’ve never held a baby. Maybe I can believe I’m a father when I know how a baby feels.”
Hot tears blinded Kitty’s eyes, and her throat tightened. How tragic it was to be three thousand miles away from your firstborn, with no real hope of ever seeing him before you were sent across!
“Sally, I’m going to find a baby for him to hold if there’s a young baby on this island!” Kitty whispered.