"It is capital," said Belle. "But it is foolish to proclaim it. Next news some one will get hold of it and cut you out."
"Yes; I think so, too," said Mrs. Grey. "I shouldn't mind cutting you out myself."
"If you did, it would be your first dishonorable action," said Belle.
The children were all brought in now, and had a frolic till bed-time, when they were escorted off by mammas and nurses, and Mrs. Grey and Margaret were left alone.
"Oh, aunty," said Margaret, as the door closed, "I do wish I had a baby!"
"I don't see that I can help you to one," was the reply. "But I am glad to see your love for the little folks, and when Belle goes home, I think I can persuade her to leave Mabel with us for a while."
"Oh, she'll never do that. Mabel is such a perfect little darling!"
"I have usually charge of the last robin while a new one is settling into the nest. It keeps me young, and it relieves Belle. In fact, what with one thing and another, there are almost always some of the little ones here."
"I'm so glad! so glad! I shall take the whole care of them."
"And at the same time study, draw, paint, and dabble with a thousand other things?"