At the town health clinic, Lana Steiner was still screaming in agony. She had been in labor since the middle of the night, and it looked like she still had a few more hours to go. Frederick Thorne was so anxious he could only pace in circles. He had been walking back and forth in the hallway outside the delivery room ever since Lana went in, continuing for hours on end like a tireless mule.
Frederick wasn't tired, but Felix Thorne and the others were tired of watching him. Unable to stand it any longer, Felix snapped, "Go pace outside! Stop circling in front of me!"
"No."
Frederick refused. If he went outside, he wouldn't be able to hear Lana's screams. Her cries were heart-wrenching, but not hearing them at all would be even worse. 'If only I could go through this for her,' he thought.
"Then sit down. Plenty of people have kids. You're the only one making such a fuss."
