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"Playroom? What does she think, this is another childish game, you're another toy, a distraction? That woman irks me, Gabriel. Something's very wrong with her. She wants me to bring her herbs."

"I know. She's determined everyone will believe the baby is hers. She's really getting into the pretending."

"Too much. I was alone with her and she was telling me she's had nausea in the morning and lately she's had to go to the bathroom more often. Why tell me those things without anyone around?" Mama pointed out.

I shrugged. "Maybe she was just practicing."

"I don't know. I'm not getting good vibrations here," Mama said, gazing around with that special vision. "This was not a happy room. It wasn't a playroom so much as it was . . . a hideaway," she concluded. "And that's what she's made it into now," she added, turning to me.

"If it gets unbearable, Mama, I'll come home," I promised.

Mama squinted and curled the corner of her mouth. "You have a lot more tolerance for abuse than most people, Gabriel, and you're too forgiving. I'm afraid you won't do what's in your own best interests. You'll think of everyone else first."

"No, Mama, I promise. . . ."

She shook her head and then her face reddened a bit with anger.

"Has he come around? Do you see him?"

"No, Mama. I haven't seen Octavious Tate once since I arrived. I think he's afraid of her," I offered.

Mama nodded. "That's what your father says. He's not much of a man to live under his wife's shadow and to have done what he did to you. I want you to know I was tempted to turn your father loose on him. When he drove off with that in mind, I wasn't eager to stop him. I was just as angry, but . ." She sighed. "Maybe having a good home for the baby and keeping you from the disgrace that some would lay on you no matter what, like you say, is for the best. I just don't like the thought of you being caged up."

"I'll get out as much as possible, Mama. And you'll be by to see me now and then."

"You can bet on that," she said. She dug into her split-oak basket and took out some more herbal medicines, a jar of homemade blackberry jam, a loaf of cinnamon bread, and a package of pralines. "Don't eat all this at one time," she warned. "You gotta watch you don't get too fat, Gabriel."

"I won't, Mama," I said, and laughed.

She sighed again and stood up. We heard Gladys coming up the stairway. She knocked on the door, which was something I was sure she would never have done if Mama weren't there.

"Yes," Mama said.

Gladys entered. "I'm sorry, but if you remain up here much longer, my maids will notice."

"You should get maids you can trust," Mama shot back. Gladys didn't respond, but she made her eyes small and sucked in her breath. "I'll be by in a couple of days," Mama said. Then she turned to Gladys. "You see she gets time out of this room. She needs exercise or the birthing will be difficult, even dangerous."

"Of course, Madame Landry. I will permit whatever is possible."

"Make it possible," Mama insisted. "See that she has plenty of water to drink, too. There's two to take care of here. Keep that in mind."

"Anything else?" Gladys asked with visible annoyance.

"Yes. You should have a fan up here."

"Why? You don't have fans in your shack, do you?"

"No, but she's not locked up in a room in our shack," Mama retorted.

"There's no electricity up here, and even if there were, the noise would attract attention," Gladys explained.

"It's all right, Mama. Really," I said.

"Humph," Mama said, and then turned back to Gladys. "You make sure your husband doesn't come within ten feet of her."

Gladys turned so red, I thought the blood would shoot up and out the top of her head.

"Don't bother to make promises," Mama followed before Gladys could open her tight mouth. "Just make sure it don't happen." Mama turned to me. "I'll see you soon, honey," she said, and kissed me on the cheek. Then she glared at Gladys once more before she started out. Gladys took my tray of empty dishes and shot me an annoyed look before leaving. When they got to the bottom of the stairway and went out the corridor door, Gladys did not lock it. I was glad of that.