The girls were altogether too inexperienced to realize that it was curious how easily the Ashbys, Mr. Dalken’s most intimate friends, and Mr. Fabian agreed to such a strange plan as trying to saddle a foundling baby on a man who lived a hermit’s life when in his own home.
They never questioned the readiness with which these friends accepted their proposition, but they were delighted at the “lucky chance” that brought a woman to Mrs. Ashby on the very day that they began to think of employing a woman-nurse for the baby.
Mr. Fabian walked back to the Studio door with them, smiling at their dreams of future bliss for Mr. Dalken. In fact, their thoughts traveled so far into the future, that they saw Billy a fine young man and Mr. Dalken, white-haired and bent, depending on his beloved adopted son for everything.
The four inmates of the Studio were not aware that they had been kept singularly free from constant annoyance from reporters and police. Nor did they realize that the short news article that had appeared in the papers, had been a wonderful story to catch the eyes of curious readers, but someone in authority had ordered it “cut” to an inch.
The afternoon following Mr. Fabian’s visit to the girls, they hurried home from school and found Mrs. Ashby’s car in front of the house. They quickly entered the front door and greeted her with a smiling welcome.
“I see you have Billy in hand, already,” laughed Polly.
“Yes; isn’t he a friendly little fellow?” replied Mrs. Ashby.
“Wonderful! We never knew babies were so easy to live with,” added Eleanor.
“Mrs. Stewart took Martha upstairs to show her how you managed for the baby. He may need extra things, or other conveniences,” suggested Mrs. Ashby.
Even as she spoke, the sound of steps was heard descending the front stairs, and soon after, Mrs. Stewart led Martha in, and introduced her to Polly and Eleanor. The girls liked the refined look and quiet sensible words and manners of the nurse-to-be.