"What baby? Not ours?"
"No, an ugly, hateful little baby that's in my mother's room."
"How did it do it?"
"I don't know; but Martha says it did, and she says that's the reason my papa and mamma don't love me any more."
"Don't they love you?" asked Bessie.
"No, they don't," said Mamie, passionately. "Mamma tried to push me away, and papa scolded me and took me out of the room. He never scolded me before, and he was so angry, and it's all for that hateful little baby. Oh, dear, oh, dear! what shall I do?"
"Wasn't you naughty?" asked Maggie.
"I sha'n't tell you," said Mamie.
"Then I know you was. If you hadn't been, you'd say, 'No!'"
Mamie did not answer. Bessie walked round her, looking at her nose, first on one side, then on the other.