The blue eyes were full of tears; the rosy baby lips pouted sorrowfully.
"We won't talk of it now, at any rate, darling," said Frances, stooping and kissing the little creature with much affection.
Ellen brightened instantly.
"Of course we won't. It's delicious coming here; how wise it was of mother to send me! I shall love being with you more than anything. Why, Frances, you don't look a day older than when I saw you last."
"My father says," returned Frances, "that I age very quickly."
"But you don't, and I'll tell him so. Oh, no, he's not going to say those rude, unpleasant things when I'm by. How old are you, Fan, really? I forget."
"I am twenty-eight, dear."
"Are you?"
Fluff's blue eyes opened very wide.
"You don't look old, at any rate," she said presently. "And I should judge from your face you didn't feel it."