r saw a more knowing child for her age."

"She is very pretty," said Flower, carelessly. "But I don't think I'll
hold her, Nurse. I'm not accustomed to babies, and I'm afraid she might
break or something. Do you know I never had a baby in my arms in my
life? I don't remember David when he was tiny. No, I never saw anything
so young and soft and tiny as this little Pearl; she _is_ very pretty."

"Eh, dear lamb," said Nurse, squeezing the baby to her heart, "she's the
very sweetest of the sweet. Now you surprise me, Miss Flower, for I'd
have said you'd be took up tremendous with babies, you has them winsome
ways. Why, look at the little dear, she's laughing even now to see you.
She quite takes to you, Miss--the same as she does to Miss Polly."

"She takes to Polly, does she?" said Flower.

"Take to her? I should say so, Miss; and as to Miss Polly, she just
worships baby. Two or three times a day she comes into the nursery, and
many and many a time she coaxes me to let her bathe her. The fact is,
Miss Flower, we was all in a dreadful taking about Miss Polly when her
mamma died. She was quite in a stunned sort of state, and it was baby
here brought her round. Ever since then our little Miss Pearl has been
first of all with Miss Polly."

"Give her to me," said Flower, in a queer, changed voice. "I've altered
my mind--I'd like to hold her. See, is she not friendly? Yes, baby,
kiss me, baby, with your pretty mouth. Does she not coo--isn't she
perfect? You are quite right, Nurse. I do like to hold her, very much
indeed."

"I said she'd take to you, Miss," said Nurse, in a gratified voice.

"So she does, and I take to her. Nurse, I wonder if you'd do something
for me?"

"Of course I will, my dear."

"I am so awfully hungry. Would you go down' to the kitchen and choose a
nice little dinner for me?"

"I'll ring the bell, Miss Dalrymple. Alice shall bring it to you on a
tray here, if you've a mind to eat it in the nursery."

"But I do want you to choose something; do go yourself, and find
something dainty. Do, Nursie, please Nursie. I want to be spoiled a
little bit; no one ever spoils me now that my mamma is dead."

"Bless the child!" said good-natured and unsuspicious Nurse. "Of course
I'll go, if you put it that way, Missy. Well, take care of baby, Miss
Flower. Don't attempt to carry her; hold her steady with your arm firm
round her back. I'll bring you your dinner in ten minutes at latest,
Miss."

CHAPTER