"If it is not necessary, I don't see why you do it at all."
"Why, it is a pious observance," said Isabel. "What hurry is there? besides, we can't have him baptized now, for Philip and I have not agreed what to call him."
"And while you are debating that point, you run the risk of having him die without being baptized at all."
"I don't think there is any danger. He is as well as he can be. And mother's little—I forget what his name was—died without being baptized at all, and I don't believe it makes any difference."
"Just as I told you last year, Belle," said George, smiling, "gifts despised; you place a sacrament instituted by our blessed Saviour himself on the same footing with grace at table; a pious observance, of course; to be attended to, no doubt, when one is not in too much of a hurry."
Isabel half smiled; but she was too proud and happy, and too busy petting her darling, to regard much the drift of her brother's words. At that moment Philip came in to get the baby to show Fanny, and the three adjourned into their mother's room, Philip carrying the baby, of whom he was evidently very proud.
"There are most too many of you," said Mrs. Hartland; but she could not choose which to dismiss, so they all went in. "I don't let Fanny hold levees, but you need not stay long."
Fanny was very fond of babies, and they made her examine his beautiful eyes and forehead and dimpled chin; and then Belle called her sister's attention to the exquisitely embroidered dress which she herself had worked.
"I wonder how long it will be before I shall be able to work another," said Fanny, with a patient smile.
"You will soon be well enough, dear Fanny, for me to come and read to you," said George.