"Oh, poor woman!" murmured Josephine, her cheeks paling.
"Aye, poor woman indeed!" agreed Jane. "Cook hears—the milkman told her—that no preparations had been made for the baby's arrival, the mother having fled from Belgium without any belongings and being without money. I've been saying to cook I wish I had a nice warm shawl to give the poor infant, but I haven't."
"I have!" Josephine cried eagerly, "a beautiful one made of white Shetland wool! Oh, I'd so like the baby to have it! Could it be managed, Jane?"
"Why, yes, miss. It's my evening out, and if you'd trust the shawl to me I'd leave it at the house where the Belgians are living. But perhaps you'd better speak to your aunt about it, miss."
"Oh, yes!" agreed Josephine, "I will!"
Miss Basset, when consulted, at first rather objected to Josephine's parting with the shawl, which was almost new, but when she saw her niece's heart was set on giving it, she said—
"Well, dear, do as you like. I only thought one less valuable might do. I am sure in my wardrobe there must be an old shawl I could do without."
"Oh, no, thank you, Aunt Ann!" Josephine broke in quickly, "I would rather give my own."
"Very well, dear. It is a beauty. The baby will be quite grand."
"Mrs. Ford made the shawl for me on the voyage; she thought I might feel the cold and be glad to wrap it around me in the night," Josephine explained. "I shall tell her what I have done with it."