Each daughter needed it now and then.

But as the years wore slowly on, the seasons when they needed it grew steadily wider and wider apart....
Early in May, when Roger came home from his office one night he found Edith's children in the house.

From the hallway he could hear their gay excited voices, and going into the dining room he found them at their supper.

Deborah was with them, and at once her father noticed how much younger she appeared--as she always did with these children who all idolized her so.

She rose and followed him into the hall, and her quiet voice had a note of compassion.
"Edith's baby is coming," she said.
"Good Lord.