"My dear Hecla, don't be silly," began Miss Storey, rather vexed.
And before she could utter another word, Hecla, suddenly grasping what the news meant, leaped from her chair, and hopped vigorously round the room.
Miss Storey looked in despair at her sister, who was smiling, and said, "Now, what is that for?"
"Just a little ebullition of feeling, dear Millicent," said Miss Anne.
And as Hecla, in her wild career, came close, she put out a firm hand and stopped the child. Hecla stood still, breathing hard with her exertions.
"What's 'ebullition,' auntie?"
Miss Anne did not take the trouble to reply, since she knew from experience that the explanation would be forgotten in five minutes. She only said—
"How will you like to have little Ivy?"
Hecla gasped with joy.
"And is her name Ivy, auntie?"