My Darling,
Uncle has just told us the good news. It will not do you any harm now to know how much we have missed you. Aunt Mandy said to me to-day that she cannot understand how you always succeeded in putting the babies to sleep when she failed to do so; but I think I know the secret.
The babies are growing more cunning every day. Two or three days ago, Beth discovered that she has fingers; and this morning when I was dressing her, she kicked up one little foot and caught hold of her toes. Then I found Berta holding on to both ears. But I must not tell you all the surprises we have for you.
I have gone into your room very often. It makes me think of a pretty nest from which the little bird has flown. But the wings of my little bluebird are not strong enough to carry her very far away, so she is coming back to the nest again. I shall give Father a kiss and a hug to carry to my birdie away up in the treetop.
Mother.
"And here are a kiss—and a hug—to carry down to Mother; but before you give them to her, you must walk around the block to let the wind blow the measles off of you."
"There, there, dear, you must not exert yourself so much. You are not quite strong enough to give such bear hugs."
"Well, well, well! Not in bed yet? I was almost sure that I heard you snore as I came upstairs."
"Uncle! I am going to ask Sister Julia if I snore when I am asleep."
"You certainly do not do so while you are awake. But perhaps it was Snowball that I heard. She is asleep on the lowest step."
"Poor little Snowball! I do hope Debby is taking good care of her. Is she very black, Uncle?"
"Who? Debby or the kitten?"
"Why, the kitten, of course. Debby is s'posed to be black, but Snowball is s'posed to be white."
"I see. Well, set your mind at rest, pet, for your kitten looks her name to perfection, curled up as she now is. Indeed, for a moment I was on the point of bringing her up here to wash your face and coax a little color into it. Oh, another thing! I noticed that she has quite a jaunty bow of ribbon on her neck. You would have the nightmare if I should tell you what color it is."