CHAPTER VI.
“Helen Reed was born on the tenth of July. When’s my birthday, Adee?”
Eliza had never foreseen such a question. She could not reply at first.
“When was I born, Adee?”
Eliza was not one given to evasion. To her there could be but aye or nay.
“I do not know,” she replied.
“Why do you not know, Adee? Helen’s mother knows the very day that Helen was born. I think you would remember about me.”
“But, Beth dearest, you were not a tiny baby when you were sent to me. I do not know how old you were. I think almost two years old. No one told me about your birthday.”
“They kept me in heaven longer than most babies, then,” said Beth sententiously. “Most babies are just a minute old when they are sent down on earth. The angels must have liked me very much. Don’t you think so, Adee?”
“I am sure they did,” Eliza assured her. This comforted Beth somewhat. It is nice to feel that the angels feel pleasure in one’s society. Yet it had its disadvantages too. One could not be quite sure of one’s birthday; and thereby one was short of presents and festivities of various kinds.