"Baby!" cried the little girl, with a joyous shout, clapping her chubby hands, "pretty baby Elsie take"; and the small arms were held out entreatingly.
"No, Elsie is too little to hold it," said her papa; "but she may kiss it very softly."
The child availed herself of the permission, then gently patting the newcomer, repeated her glad cry, "Baby, pretty baby."
"Elsie's little brother," said her mamma, tenderly. "Now, dearest, let mammy take her away," she added, sinking back on her pillows with a weary sigh.
He complied, then bent over her with a look of concern. "I should not have brought her in," he said anxiously; "it has been too much for you."
"But I wanted so to see her delight. One more kiss, papa, before you go, and then I'll try to sleep."
Elsie did not recover so speedily and entirely as before, after the birth of her first babe; and those to whom she was so dear grew anxious and troubled about her.
"You want change, daughter," Mr. Dinsmore said, coming in one morning and finding her lying pale and languid on a sofa; "and we are all longing to have you at home. Do you feel equal to a drive over to the Oaks?"
"I think I do, papa," she answered, brightening. "Edward took me for a short drive yesterday, and I felt better for it."
"Then, dearest, come home to your father's house and stay there as long as you can; bring babies and nurses and come. Your own suite of rooms is quite ready for you," he said, caressing her tenderly.