"Stop that, or it'll end in hysterics," he said, frowning upon her with comical affectation; but she smiled yet, and her pale cheek flushed. Still, the anxieties that pressed upon her were too real, and she became grave again.
"You wont say anything about it, please," she murmured. "The minute he comes, they shall know everything. I'm not very strong; if it wasn't for that you should read the certificate now; but it's up-stairs, and so we must wait."
"Never mind, my little Katy-did, I can wait, and so shall the rest of them; never fear."
"You're very good!" murmured Katharine, faintly; "I shall sleep without dreaming such frightful things after this."
She closed her eyes a moment, and then opened them with a start.
"Where's the baby?"
"In your mother's lap—don't you hear her buzzing over it like a bumble bee?"
"Is it—is that her?" whispered the young mother, and a beautiful smile stole into her eyes. "I don't remember ever hearing her sing before."
"Oh, she'll soon break in—no fool like a grandmother."
"How pleasant it sounds," murmured the young mother, listening to the low hum which came from the next room, and ignoring the doctor's speech entirely. "I didn't know mother's voice was so sweet. It makes me sleepy."