“Helping me?”
“To undress, you know—and to be tucked in!”
The guest looked at her unresponsively. “But I’ve been used to doing that for myself,” she said.
Flora quickly stooped and took her into her arms impulsively. “Dear child,” she cried, her voice tremulous, “let me do it to-night! I think you’ll love it—and I’ll love it, too.” She drew the perplexed face almost roughly against her own.
She did not wait to be refused. She hurried into the bathroom and busied herself; she was singing a little crooning song. There was also the noise of water splashing into the tub.
She reappeared presently. “The water is ready—for your bath, you know, and I’ve left one of my nighties there for you.” She smiled happily. “Of course it will be too big. I’ll make you some little ones soon.”
The seeming perversion of the child asserted itself again. “I usually take my bath in the morning,” she said a little stiffly; but she saw how the glad light in Miss Baron’s eyes wavered, and she added quickly, “but it will be all right.” And she went out into the bathroom.
When she reappeared after a rather long time she was smiling radiantly. She had on Flora’s nightgown, soft and white, with pink ribbons. She held it daintily up before her feet, and glanced back at the train that dragged behind. “Isn’t it lovely!” she said.
“It is, dear,” said Flora.
She had turned the white coverlet and the sheet down. Now she watched the child scramble up into the bed. She wanted to help, but she refrained.