A nurse had been engaged, a skilled and capable trained nurse; for Patty argued that if they wanted to find a good home for Milly they must keep her in the pink of condition.
But though the nurse was most efficient, she was dictatorial and high-tempered, and her superior air offended the other servants, and caused Housekeeper Nan no end of trouble. They thought of changing the nurse, but Miss Swift took such good care of her charge that they continued to keep her.
The small cause of all the excitement went on her sunny-faced merry-hearted way, unknowing what turmoil she had stirred up.
“Middy lub Patty,” she would say, toddling to Patty’s side as she sat at her everlasting telephone conversations. “Middy fink Patty booful!”
“Yes, and Patty finks Middy is booful,” catching the baby up in her arms, “but you are a terrible responsibility!”
“Fot is tebble spombilty?”
“Well, it’s what you are. I don’t know what to do with you!”
“Lub me,” suggested Milly, twining her chubby arms around Patty’s neck till she nearly choked her. “Tell me I’s your pressus baby-kins.”
“Yes, you’re all of that; and, as a matter of fact, I’m getting too fond of you, you little fat rascal!”
“I must beg of you, Miss Fairfield, not to caress the child so much,” said the cold voice of Nurse Swift. “It is conceded by all authorities that kissing is most harmful——”