“But I must make her obey me,” said Adèle, a little uncertainly.
“Fiddlestrings, Adèle,” returned Patty; “this is no time for discipline. The poor baby is about worn out with fatigue and excitement. You know, it has been her busy day. Let’s humour her this time. I’ll take her away, and I’ll return anon.”
“Anon isn’t a very long time, is it?” said Adèle, laughing, and Hal remarked, “If it is, we’ll all come after you, Miss Fairfield.”
So Patty went away, carrying the now smiling baby, and Fräulein went along with her, knowing the little thing would soon drop to sleep, anyway, from sheer fatigue.
CHAPTER XI
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
Patty soon returned, saying the country was saved, and now she was ready for her presents.
And then everybody began untying things, and soon the whole place was knee-deep in tissue papers and ribbons.