I was on my way to the waterfront, the baby in my arms. I was walking
quickly, for my state of mind was such that I could have borne twice my
burden and not have felt it. Just as I turned down a hill which led to
the docks, someone touched my arm and I heard a voice say:
“Pardon me, lady; but you have dropped your baby’s shoe!”
“Oh, yes!” I answered, taking the shoe mechanically from an outstretched
hand, and pushing on.
I could hear the waves lapping against the pier when the voice again
fell upon my ear.
“If you go any further, lady, you will fall into the water!”
My answer was a step forward.
A strong hand was laid upon my arm and I was swung around against my
will.
“Poor little baby,” went on the voice, which was unusually soft for a
man’s. “Let me hold him!”