“Yes, ma’am.”
There was not a ripple of interest in Madeline’s voice.
“Don’t you like birds?” inquired the disappointed mother.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Here are two beautiful doves. How lifelike! It seems every moment as if they would fly away! A’n’t they lovely, dear?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Mrs. Dainty bent down and looked into the child’s face. Her eyes were not on the book, but cast dreamily to the floor, and there was in her countenance a sad expression.
“Madeline!” Mrs. Dainty spoke with a suddenness that caused her child to start and the varying color to dance over her face.
“What do you mean by this? I don’t understand you!” Mrs. Dainty’s mind was growing confused through impatience.
For an instant Madeline looked frightened, and then burst into tears.