ut of the carriage
and lifted up Violet, settling her in one side. But Pansy would have
none of it. She squirmed down on the floor and began to cry.

"Oh, I don't know what you want!" Marilla almost fell into the chair
and jogged it gently. Violet was going to sleep. Poor Cinderella wiped
the tears that would have run down her cheeks. She was so tired. Even
the babies crying did not move her. But when she heard the voices she
sprang up.

"Oh, what is the matter?" asked Mrs. Borden.

"They wanted to be rocked," explained Marilla, "and I put them both in
the chair, but Pansy wouldn't stay----"

"We have spoiled them. Ellen used to sit in the chair and hold them
both. That seemed about the only thing she could do that would please
them. And I've held one in the right and Aunt Florence the other until
my back ached and I was fit to fall to pieces. We've had the most
awful time, Flo and I. But I remember I had a dreadful time cutting
my wisdom teeth, and I was grown. I used to walk the floor at night,
they would swell up so. We can't blame the poor babies. And they
missed you so. They used to be so good, wasn't they M'rilla; and I
suppose they'll be good again. They must be undressed and put to bed.
Flo, you look after Violet, and M'rilla you run over and get some
dinner. You must be most starved."

Mrs. Borden had picked up Pansy who had now turned to her comforting
thumb.

"Oh, run over. You needn't be afraid. Ellen liked the girls first
rate. Here, Mr. Borden will escort you."

"I expect you're tired out and homesick," he said sympathetically.
"But we will have things better tomorrow. And we are all so glad to
have you--this way. Here, Katie, give this little girl a good dinner.
She deserves the best you have."

They were clearing the dining room. One long table was piled up with
the used dishes. At the other, covered with rather worn enameled
cloth, sat two women and one young man. Kate made a place for the
child and brought her a plate with most everything piled on it.
Bridget, at home, was so much neater, but then she didn't have so many
hungry people to feed. And Jane with her dainty ways!

Oh, she was just a little bound-out nurse girl. She had danced and
feasted with the prince; she had been in the palace with the fairy
godmother where she was waited on as if she were a little lady. And
there had been the Sunday ride with Dr. Richards. Was it _all_
dreams?

She could not eat. The food was mostly cold.