brain; for I was as full of theories
as a sucking politician.

"Ook, gurgle-da," exclaimed baby, and pointed a fat finger at me over
Mrs. Garnett's shoulder. Of course he was not asleep; it would have been
an insult to his infantine wisdom to suppose it.

"Oh, Master Baby," exclaimed Hannah, reproachfully. "I did think he had
gone off then, Mrs. Garnett; and you have been rocking him for the best
part of an hour."

"Ah, he misses his old nurse," returned Mrs. Garnett, placidly. She was
a pretty-looking woman, with flaxen hair, just becoming streaked with
grey. Perhaps she was a widow, for she wore a black gown, and a cap with
soft floating ends, and had a plaintive look in her eyes. "I hope he
will take to you, my dear, for he nearly fretted his little heart out
last night, bless him; and Mrs. Morton crept up at two o'clock in the
morning, when Mr. Morton was asleep, but nothing would do but his old
nurse; he pushed her away, and it was 'Nur, nur,' and we could not
pacify him. Poor Mrs. Morton cried at last, and then he took to patting
her and laughing at her in the drollest way."

"I will just take off my bonnet and try and make friends with him," I
returned, and Hannah, who really seemed a good-natured creature, ushered
me into the night nursery--a large, cheerful room, with a bright fire,
and a comfortable-looking bed, with a brass crib on each side--and
pointed out to me the large chest of drawers and hanging wardrobe for my
own special use, and then went down on her knees to unstrap my box.

"Thank you, Hannah, I will not wait to unpack now, as I daresay Mrs.
Garnett is wanted downstairs," and as soon as she had left the room I
opened the box and took out the pretty cap and apron, and proceeded to
invest myself in my nurse's livery. I hope Aunt Agatha had not made me
vain by that injudicious praise, but I certainly thought they looked
very nice, and gave me a sense of importance.

The tall housemaid--Rhoda they called her--stared at me as I re-entered,
but Mrs Garnett gave me an approving glance; but it was baby who
afforded me most satisfaction, for he screwed up his little rosebud of a
mouth in the prettiest fashion and said, "Nur, nur," at the same time
holding out his arms for me to take him. I must confess I forgot Aunt
Agatha in that moment of triumph.

"He takes to you quite nicely, my dear," observed Mrs. Garnett, in her
cosy voice, as the little fellow nestled down contentedly in my arms.

"Yes,