and though the baby seemed all right, Patty
didn't approve of the performance.

"That's it," she summed up, after telling Elise of this; "you see, I
haven't approved of such long absences and so Zaly just walked off. Of
course, she sent Winnie down for the food, in order to get a chance to
put on Baby's things, and depart unseen."

"But she told the nurse _you_ ordered the food prepared."

"Yes. I may as well own up, Elise, that Azalea is not strictly
truthful."

"Why do you have her around? I think she's horrid!"

"Well, you see, _I_ got her here. To be sure, she is Little Billee's
cousin,--that is, second or third cousin,--once or twice removed--"

"I wish she was removed from here,--once, twice and all the time!"
declared Elise. "Bill had no business to inflict her on you!"

"He didn't. He fairly begged me not to invite her here. But I insisted
on it. You see, we neither of us had any idea of what she was like. Bill
hadn't seen her since she was a baby, and she was different then!"

"I s'pose so! Well, having found out how 'different' she is now, why
don't you send her home?"

"Oh, I can't. And, to tell you the truth, Elise, I want to help the
girl. She's ignorant and inexperienced, but she has a sort of native
quickness and wit, and I feel sure if I could teach her for a while,
she could learn to be one of us,--and in time become a fine woman."

"Oh, you philanthropist! And meantime she has run off with your baby!"

"The baby carriage is gone, Mrs. Farnsworth," said Winnie, appearing
suddenly. "So I expect Miss Thorpe took baby in that."

"Yes, probably," said Patty, despairingly. "Oh, Elise, this suspense is
driving me crazy! If I knew that Zaly had her,--and if I knew nothing
had happened, I'd feel _so_ relieved. But suppose she did break
Fleurette's little arm or leg--"

"Or back!" put in Elise; "you must _not_ let her pitch the baby around!
It's criminal!"

"But you don't know how deft she is. Why, she's almost a contortionist
herself. She can turn handsprings and--"

"I don't care if she's the greatest acrobat the world ever saw! There's
_always_ chance of an accident! And with a baby, you _never_ know.
Suppose Fleurette squirmed out of her grasp, just as she--"

"Oh, hush! Elise, you drive me distracted! It _can't_ be anything like
that!"

"Yes, it can! I hope it isn't, but do let this be a lesson to you,
Patty! Don't ever allow that girl to see the baby again,--much less
touch her! I thi