Chapter I

by William Somerset Maugham

　　The day broke gray and dull. The clouds hung heavily, and there was arawness in the air that suggested snow. A woman servant came into a roomin which a child was sleeping and drew the curtains. She glancedmechanically at the house opposite, a stucco house with a portico, andwent to the child's bed."Wake up, Philip," she said.She pulled down the bed-clothes, took him in her arms, and carried himdownstairs. He was only half awake."Your mother wants you," she said.She opened the door of a room on the floor below and took the child overto a bed in which a woman was lying. It was his mother. She stretched outher arms, and the child nestled by her side. He did not ask why he hadbeen awakened. The woman kissed his eyes, and with thin, small hands feltthe warm body through his white flannel nightgown. She pressed him closerto herself."Are you sleepy, darling?" she said.Her voice was so weak that it seemed to come already from a greatdistance. The child did not answer, but smiled comfortably. He was veryhappy in the large, warm bed, with those soft arms about him. He tried tomake himself smaller still as he cuddled up against his mother, and hekissed her sleepily. In a moment he closed his eyes and was fast asleep.The doctor came forwards and stood by the bed-side."Oh, don't take him away yet," she moaned.The doctor, without answering, looked at her gravely. Knowing she wouldnot be allowed to keep the child much longer, the woman kissed him again;and she passed her hand down his body till she came to his feet; she heldthe right foot in her hand and felt the five small toes; and then slowlypassed her hand over the left one. She gave a sob."What's the matter?" said the doctor. "You're tired."She shook her head, unable to speak, and the tears rolled down her cheeks.The doctor bent down."Let me take him."She was too weak to resist his wish, and she gave the child up. The doctorhanded him back to his nurse."You'd better put him back in his own bed.""Very well, sir." The little boy, still sleeping, was taken away. Hismother sobbed now broken-heartedly."What will happen to him, poor child?"The monthly nurse tried to quiet her, and presently, from exhaustion, thecrying ceased. The doctor walked to a table on the other side of the room,upon which, under a towel, lay the body of a still-born child. He liftedthe towel and looked. He was hidden from the bed by a screen, but thewoman guessed what he was doing."Was it a girl or a boy?" she whispered to the nurse."Another boy."The woman did not answer. In a moment the child's nurse came back. Sheapproached the bed."Master Philip never woke up," she said. There was a pause. Then thedoctor felt his patient's pulse once more."I don't think there's anything I can do just now," he said. "I'll callagain after breakfast.""I'll show you out, sir," said the child's nurse.They walked downstairs in silence. In the hall the doctor stopped."You've sent for Mrs. Carey's brother-in-law, haven't you?""Yes, sir.""D'you know at what time he'll be here?""No, sir, I'm expecting a telegram.""What about the little boy? I should think he'd be better out of the way.""Miss Watkin said she'd take him, sir.""Who's she?""She's his godmother, sir. D'you think Mrs. Carey will get over it, sir?"The doctor shook his head.