"I don't know, dear. You can have it all, if you wish, be it little or much; for it is all your own, Sybil," replied Lyon Berners, putting his purse in her hands.
"Oh, no, I don't want that; but you must give Tabby as much money as she may require, to make some purchases for me."
"Yes, certainly," said Mr. Berners, taking back his pocket-book.
"Me! me make purchases for you, my lamb? La! whatever can you want in this awful—There I go again!" exclaimed Miss Tabby in dismay.
"You have too much curiosity, you good old soul. But here, come with me, and I will tell you what to buy for me—after you have instructed me as to what I shall want," said Sybil, laughing archly, as she led the way to a rude arbor at a short distance.
"Now, Tabby, what I want you to buy for me, is everything in the world that is needed for a bran, spic and span new baby!"
"La! Miss Sybil; whose baby?" inquired the astonished housekeeper, with her mouth and eyes wide open.
"Tabby, don't be a goose!"
"But, Miss Sybil, I don't know what you mean!"
"Tabby, I'm not 'Miss Sybil' to begin with! I'm Mrs. Berners, and have been married more than a year, and you know it, you stupid old Tabby!"