Before the week was out Drusilla had another pleasure, in the arrival of Leo and Pina with her pets.
She received them all with gladness.
“Oh, ma’am,” exclaimed Pina, “but it does my very heart good to see you looking so rosy and bright-eyed! And I’m just dying to see young Master Leonard! And I am to be his nurse, ain’t I, ma’am? And how is the dear little darling pet? And, oh, I am so glad to see you looking so well and so happy!”
“I am very happy to see you also, Pina,” said Drusilla, when the girl had stopped for want of breath. “I hope you left your mammy well.”
“Oh, as well as possible, ma’am; but with baby on the brain as sure as she lives, in regard to talking about little Master Leonard, which she stands to it is the finest baby as ever she saw among the hundreds and hundreds as she has had the honor of—of—of——”
Pina paused for want of words or breath.
“Of first introducing to their friends and relations,” added Drusilla, laughingly coming to the girl’s relief.
“Yes, ma’am, that is the way to put it,” said Pina, approvingly. “But please, ma’am, may I see little Master Leonard?” she pleaded, eagerly.
“Go with Matty first, Pina. She will show you the room where you are to sleep, and which joins the nursery. Wash your face and hands, and change your traveling dress for a clean one, and then come to my chamber, which is on the other side of the nursery, and I will show you our baby.”
“Thank you, ma’am. Yes, ma’am. I am a perfect show for dust and dirt, I know, and in no state to go nigh a dainty little baby,” said Pina, courtesying, and then following Matty from the sitting parlor where this interview had taken place.