“Hush! don’t talk like that,” said her sister; “here she is.”

Little Mrs Morrison came into the room again, looking very red-faced and hot.

“What a funny little maid you have got, Polly!” cried Cynthia.

“Yes, Miss Cynthia; she is from the workhouse, and she is a little clumsy, but she is very faithful, and so fond of baby.”

“And what is to be its name?” cried Cynthia.

“Rose, Miss; and—and,” stammered the young wife, looking very hard at Julia.

“And what, Polly?”

“I—I had a sort of idea, Miss Julia, that—”

“That what, Polly? Speak out!”

“Of asking you and Miss Cynthia if—”