at night," Ellis hastened to
say. "She can't leave home very well, and she is too busy during the
day to look out for her, for she has a lot of children, but none of
them are little small babies; the youngest is three, and she says she
doesn't mind having the baby at night."

"Then we'll arrange for the day only," said Miss Ada with decision;
"that is when she would require your time, Ellis, and we are glad to
help you out so you can take out the boat when you have the
opportunity."

"I'm sure I'm much obliged," said Ellis awkwardly. Like most of the
"Pointers" he was unused to showing his gratitude. To his mind any
display of appreciation was poor-spirited. He was too proud to let any
one see that he felt under obligations and to say even as much as he
did was an effort. Nevertheless, he trotted off feeling a great weight
removed, and in half an hour was back again with the little
four-months-old baby.

For that day, at least, the small Miss Myrtle Dixon was overwhelmed
with attentions. Polly sat by when she slept, ready to pounce upon her
and take her up at the slightest movement. Molly was on hand to urge a
bottle of milk upon her if she so much as whimpered. Mary dangled
be-ribboned trinkets before her the minute she opened her eyes, and
they were all in danger of hurting her with overkindness.

The second day she was less of a novelty, though sufficiently
entertaining for each of her three nurses to clamor for her.

"She is too dear for anything," said Molly ecstatically. "See her
laugh, Mary, and flutter her little hands. She is to be my baby this
morning. Let's go around the side of the house, where it is shady, and
play. You can have the place under the porch for your house, Polly,
and Mary can have the wood-shed. I'll take the cellar."

"Oh, but that will be too cold and damp for the baby," said Mary. "You
take the wood-shed and I'll take the cellar," she added generously.

Molly agreed and presently baby was established in a crib made of the
clothes-basket where she lay contentedly sucking her thumb. Mary,
hugely enjoying herself, kept house in the cellar. She sat at the door
in a rocking-chair which she rocked back and forth with a blissful
expression on her face. If there was any American comfort which Mary
did appreciate it was a rocking-chair. She had never seen one till she
came to the United States, neither had she ever before made the
acquaintance of chewing-gum. This was a lu