"But you can't, Mabel. It's so cold that there ought to be a fire here this minute, and you can't possibly leave a child alone with a fire."
"Couldn't you take her, Mrs. Mapes?" pleaded Mabel.
"No, I'm afraid I couldn't. If she were the least bit lovable——"
"Oh, she is——"
"Not to me," returned Mrs. Mapes, firmly.
"Wouldn't you take her, Mrs. Tucker?"
"What! With all the family I have now? I couldn't think of such a thing."
"Then you," begged Mabel, turning to Aunty Jane. "There's only you and Marjory in that great big house. Oh, do take her."
"Mercy! I'd just as soon undertake to board a live bear! Why! Nobody wants a child of that sort around. She's as homely——"