rt
of nursery governess than a servant.--That is probably the girl."

She referred to a rather timid knock at the front door. In another
second the domestic announced Hetty Frog, who entered with a somewhat
shy air, and seemed fluttered at meeting with unexpected company.

"Come in, Hetty, my dear; I'm glad to see you. My friends here know
that you are a helper in our Sunday-schools. Sit down, and have a cup
of tea. You know why I have sent for you?"

"Yes, Mrs Twitter. It--it is very kind. Our Bible-nurse told me, and
I shall be so happy to come, because--but I fear I have interrupted you.
I--I can easily come back--"

"No interruption at all, my dear. Here, take this cup of tea--"

"And a crumpet," added Mrs Larrabel, who sympathised with the spirit of
hospitality.

"Yes, take a crumpet, and let me hear about your last place."

Poor Hetty, who was still very weak from her recent illness, and would
gladly have been excused sitting down with two strangers, felt
constrained to comply, and was soon put at her ease by the kindly tone
and manner of the hostess. She ran quickly over the chief points of her
late engagements, and roused, without meaning to do so, the indignation
of the ladies by the bare mention of the wages she had received for the
amount of work done.

"Well, my dear," said the homely Mrs Twitter, "we won't be so hard on
you here. I want you to assist me with my sewing and darning--of which
I have a very great deal--and help to take care of baby."

"Very well, ma'am," said Hetty, "when do you wish me to begin my
duties?"

"Oh! to-morrow--after breakfast will do. It is too late to-night. But
before you go, I may as well let you see the little one you are to have
charge of. I hear she is awake."

There could be no doubt upon that point, for the very rafters of the
house were ringing at the moment with the yells which issued from an
adjoining room.

"Come this way, Hetty."

Mrs Loper and Mrs Larrabel, having formed a good opinion of the girl,
looked on with approving smiles. The smiles changed to glances of
surprise, however, when Hetty, having looked on the baby, uttered a most
startling scream, while her eyes glared as though she saw a ghostly
apparition.

Seizing the baby with unceremonious familiarity, Hetty struck Mrs
Twitter dumb by turning it on its face, pulling open its dress, glancing
at a bright red spot on its back, and uttering a shriek of delight as
she turned it ro