“Talk of woman’s curiosity,� laughed Elinor to herself. “It does not compare with that of the sterner sex.� And she watched her husband cross Herald Street and walk down the avenue with more than his usual celerity. Then she touched a tiny bell, which was answered by a young girl from the adjoining room.
“You may bring Robbie to me, Tibby. Mr. Wylie has gone away and I am at leisure to amuse him.�
The young nurse departed, to return with a mischievous little lad of four years, beautiful in his night robes of linen and lace, and the mother-love, which even the society life could not destroy, shone in Mrs. Wylie’s eyes as she clasped him in her arms.
“You may leave us now, Tibby. I will call you when Robbie has done with his play.�
The smiling, dimple-cheeked maid withdrew, and the mother gave herself up to the enjoyment of a frolic with the wide-awake child. When, an hour later, she summoned the maid to put the cherub in his bed, she met with opposition. Robbie had not wearied of his mother, and refused to go.
“But it is bed-time, Robbie, and the sand-man will come to put sand in your eyes,� remonstrated Mrs. Wylie.
“Don’t tare, ain’t doin’ to bed,� asserted the wilful child.
“But you must go, dear; mother desires it.�
“Ain’t doin’ to,� persisted Robbie, with the perversity of a spoiled child.
The mother looked helplessly at Tibby, who came forward smiling, while her eyes sought those of the little rebel.