“This will never do,” said the nurse, hastily, as she removed the tray and its contents, and reached the window just in time to save the wilful Neddie from a fall. “Do you know,” she added, suddenly changing her tone, “what Nelly brought from market to-day? Apples! They are in the side-board down-stairs. And here are the keys. Who would like one?”
The boys suspended their mischievous operations, and listened. Letty did not move.
“Let me stay,” she whispered.
“Come, Miss Letty, like a good child. Your mother must sleep, or she will be ill, and the baby too. Come! I know what your quietness is—fidgeting about like a mouse. Your mother would have a better chance to sleep with all the boys about her. Come away.”
“Go, Letty; go with nurse. Be a good child,” pleaded her mother, on whose cheek a bright colour was flickering. “My darling would not make mamma ill, and baby sister too?”
“Nurse, try me this once. I will be so quiet.”
But nurse was not to be entreated; and the reluctant child was half led, half dragged from the room, screaming and resisting. Her mother looked after her, weary and helpless, and the baby on her lap sent up a whimpering cry. Mrs Lee leaned back on her chair, and pressed her hands over her eyes.
Christie rose.
“Will you trust me with the baby? I will be very careful.”
The lady started; she had quite forgotten her. Christie stooped over the baby with eager interest.