“And if you find her in the least burdensome, pass her over to her father,” said Max.
The children gathered round, Ned saying:
“Now, Brother Max, make her talk.”
“I don’t want to. I’m too young,” came apparently from the baby lips, and all the children laughed.
“It’s rude for big folks like you to laugh at a little one like me,” she seemed to say in a hurt tone.
“No, it isn’t; but I don’t mean to do it again, though I am your aunt,” laughed Elsie.
“Are you? Then you ought to be very good to me,” the baby voice seemed to say.
“Yes, and I intend to be,” returned Elsie. “I love you because you are a dear little soul, and my little niece—your father and mother being my brother and sister.”
“Elsie isn’t your only relation here, though,” said Alie; “there are a good many of us. I’m one of your cousins.”
“And I’m another,” said Eric, “and big Brother Edward is another, and so is little Sister Vi. You have a good many relations; plenty of them—such as they are.”