Lenny would let his mamma do a great many things to him, but he would by no means let her remove his red shoes. His little legs flew so fast in resistance that you could not have told one from the other.
“He means never to part with them, ma’am,” laughed Pina.
“We can take them off when he goes to sleep,” smiled Drusilla.
“But there’s no sleep in his eyes, ma’am, nor won’t be for hours! He’ll keep awake to watch his boots and to dance! Goodness gracious me! My arms are almost pulled out of their sockets holding him while he dances.”
“I will take him presently, Pina, as soon as I change my dress,” said Drusilla.
And she went and took off her wreath of roses, her necklace and bracelets of pearl, and her rich moire antique dress; and put on a neat white muslin wrapper, whose pure color and perfect fit became her well.
Then she took her dancing babe; but not to put him to sleep just yet. Little Master Leonard had a duty to do before he could be put to bed. She carried him into the next room, which was her own pretty private parlor.
The room was very inviting. A small, cheerful wood fire, very acceptable this chilly May evening, was blazing on the hearth.
The tea-table with its snowy, damask cloth, its silver service and clear China, was standing before the fireplace.
A large easy chair, with a foot cushion was drawn up on the right side; and Drusilla’s own little sewing chair was on the left.