"Don't fret, chillen, de good Lord make her well again soon," said mammy, with cheerful hopefulness, for she could not bear to see how sad each little face had grown, how the young lips quivered, and the bright eyes filled with tears; for dearly, dearly, they all loved their sweet, gentle mother.
"Herbie wants mamma," sobbed the baby boy, clinging to his eldest sister.
"Don't cry, pet," Elsie said chokingly, hugging him close and kissing away his tears. "We'll all ask God to make her well, and I'm sure he will."
"Why! why! what's the matter here?" cried a cheery voice, as the door opened and Mr. Travilla stepped into their midst. "What's the matter with papa's darlings?" he repeated, gathering them all into his arms, and caressing each in turn.
"Is mamma, dear mamma, very sick?" they asked, Vi immediately adding in joyous tones,
"No, no, she isn't, or papa wouldn't look so happy."
"I am very happy," he said with emotion, glancing toward the bundle in mammy's lap, "we are both very happy over the new treasure God has given us; and I trust she will soon be well."
"Can we go and speak to her?" they asked.
"After a while," he said, "she is trying to sleep now. What do you all think of the little sister?"
"Sister," cried Elsie. "Oh, that is nice, nice! I thought it was a boy. What's its name, papa?"