“I brought as many trunks as I could on the stage with me, ma’am; and the rest of the boxes is coming down by wagons. Pina was very careful in packing everything, ma’am; and here is the money you gave me to keep,” said Leo, taking a sealed packet from his breast pocket, and handing it to his mistress.
“Thanks, my boy; you and your sister have been very faithful, and I shall certainly retain you both in my service, and at an increase of wages.”
“Oh, ma’am, neither me, nor yet Pina is mussenary. We’ll be glad to come back to you on any terms.”
“And now, Leo, look here! Here is my baby boy; when the spring comes he will be big enough for you to take him on your shoulder and ride him about! Won’t you and he have a good time?”
“Oh, ma’am, what a purty little creetur! But he’s very little, ain’t he, ma’am?” said Leo, looking shyly at the baby, which indeed he had been furtively contemplating ever since he had been in the room.
“Why, no, Leo; for his age, he is very large, very! Who is he like, Leo! Look and tell me!”
Leo dutifully looked, and saw well enough who the boy really was like: but he answered stoutly:
“He is like you, ma’am, and nobody else.”
“Oh, look again, Leo! His eyes are open now. Now who is he like?”
“He is the image of you, ma’am, and not another mortial in the wide world,” repeated Leo, defiantly.