of her hands as she came in with her habit pinned up and
carrying a silver porringer of bread and milk.

Mac knelt down, took the small, reluctant hand, and kissed it as
devoutly as ever good Alonzo Quixada did that of the Duchess while he
said, merrily quoting from the immortal story: "'High and Sovereign
Lady, thine till death, the Knight of the Rueful Countenance.'"

But baby had no heart for play and, withdrawing her hand, pointed to the
porringer with the suggestive remark: "Din-din, now."

So Rose sat down and fed the Duchess while the Don stood by and watched
the feast with much satisfaction.

"How nice she looks! Do you consider shoes unhealthy?" he asked,
surveying the socks with respectful interest.

"No, her shoes are drying. You must have let her go in the mud."

"I only put her down for a minute when she howled, and she made for a
puddle, like a duck. I'll buy her some new ones clothes too. Where do I
go, what do I ask for, and how much do I get?" he said, diving for his
pocketbook, amiably anxious but pitiably ignorant.

"I'll see to that. We always have things on hand for the Pointers as
they come along and can soon fit Dulce out. You may make some inquiries
about the father if you will, for I don't want to have her taken away
just as I get fond of her. Do you know anything about him?"

"Only that he is in State Prison for twenty-one years, and not likely to
trouble you."

"How dreadful! I really think Phebe was better off to have none at all.
I'll go to work at once, then, and try to bring up the convict's little
daughter to be a good woman so that she will have an honest name of her
own, since he has nothing but disgrace to give her."

"Uncle can show you how to do that if you need any help. He has been so
successful in his first attempt, I fancy you won't require much," said
Mac, picking up the spools for the sixth time.

"Yes, I shall, for it is a great responsibility, and I do not undertake
it lightly," answered Rose soberly, though the double-barreled
compliment pleased her very much.

"I'm sure Phebe has turned out splendidly, and you began very early with
her."

"So I did! That's encouraging. Dear thing, how bewildered she looked
when I proposed adopting her. I remember all about it, for Uncle had
just come and I was quite crazy over a box of presents and rushed at
Phebe as she was cleaning brasses. How little I thought my childish
offer would end so well!" And Rose fell a-musing w