“Can we talk with the baby?” asked Grace with wide eyes.
“Nonsense; yes, indeed! Algernon loves to hear conversation, and he really understands a good deal,” said Alexia, tucking her “blessed child” under one arm, and going off. “This is your room, right next, so you can hear his dear little voice the first thing in the morning. Oh, you darling!” stopping to kiss Algernon. Then she ran with him into Grace’s small apartment room, and dumped him into the middle of the bed. “Now, then, Grace, he’s all right. Come in, dear, this is your room.”
“Will he stay there?” asked Grace fearfully.
“Dear me, yes,” said Alexia; “he’s so very sensible. And I’m going to sit this side to make it absolutely sure. Well, now, Grace, take off your bonnet, and come here. I want to ask you something.”
Grace took off her bonnet, and came round by the side of the bed.
“Sit on the foot there, will you,” said Alexia.
“That’s a dear. Well, now, Grace, do tell me about Roslyn May. I’ve been dying to know, and couldn’t get a chance with all this swarm of company around our ears, ever since you said he was your cousin the other night. How did that ever happen?”
“Why, he was born so,” said Grace.
“Of course, you stupid child,” cried Alexia; “why, even Algernon would know that! But I mean—oh, isn’t it just the most wonderful thing in all the world that it turns out that Roslyn May is your cousin?”
“Why, no; I don’t see how it is very wonderful,” said Grace in a perplexed way.