_Dear Kate_:
We are out of quarantine. I sent you word twice that Billy was all
right, and he is getting well, but poor little Paul died. When I got out
here that Monday night, the doctor was in the house and told me that if
I come in he would have to put me in quarantine and I couldn't leave. It
kinda paralyzed me for a minit, cause I thought of that fat Garden
contract, and how all my chances would be gone because you can't talk to
theatre managers about kids or diptheria, as that don't fill the house.
Then I thought of Will and Fred and how it would knock Fred out of a job
and I kinda got sick and set down quick. I asked the doctor how Billy
was, and he said they was both pretty sick, then I said, "To Hell with
contracts," and I took off my hat and I'm here.
Oh, it has been awful, Kate. Did you ever see a sick baby, when he
couldn't tell what was the matter with him and lay just fighting for his
breath and you not able to help him, just a standing by with helpless
hands, promising God that if your kid ain't took this time you will sure
do something for Him if you ever get a chance? Billy was much worse than
Paul for a time, and I was scared when I seen him lyin' on the pillow
with his face all red with fever, and he didn't seem to know me. The
doctor put a tube in their throats and it worked all right with Billy,
but it was no good for Paul, and he died just at daylight, Wednesday
morning. Oh, Kate, my heart just broke for his mother. She didn't cry
nor nothing, and when they got her away from the baby she come in my
room where Billy was and she looked down at him for a long time and
then--she cursed him. It would a made your blood run cold to hear her
talk. She said in a low, _hate_ voice, "You, a child of the streets, a
baby nobody wants, you are left and my baby is taken. You,--you will
grow up to be a professional thief like your father. They say your
mother is in prison, and yet God leaves you. There ain't no God! I tell
you it is all a lie, there ain't no God!" I was a setting in a chair at
the foot of the bed and she turned and looked at me as if she didn't
know me. Then all at once she dropped on her knees at my feet and put
her face in my lap and said, "Oh, Nannie, why didn't God take me too?
How can I live the to-morrows." And Oh, Kate, if you have never seen a
mother when her only baby is lying in the next room white and cold, you
ain't never seen real sorrow. She set on the floor at my feet nearly an
hour then she wanted me to go in and help her dress little Paul. We put
on the new suit I bought him for his birthday, and he looked just as if
he was asleep.
They buried him in a little grave yard on the hillside, and Mrs. Smith
can see it from her bed room, which I think is bad for her. She acts
queer and won't come in the room where Billy is, and I never speak his
name to her. He is getting along all right now, but it turns me cold to
think what might have happened.