With a longing all women can understand, I held out my own arms.
"I wonder if she will come to me ?" said I.
But though I got a smile, the little hands closed still more tightly round the mother's neck.
"Mama dear!" she cried, "mama dear!" and the tender emphasis on the endearing word completed the charm.

Tears sprang to Mrs.Packard's eyes, and it was with difficulty that she passed the clinging child over to the nurse waiting to take her out.
"That was the happiest moment of my life!" fell unconsciously from Mrs.
Packard's lips as the two disappeared; but presently, meeting my eyes, she blushed and made haste to remark: "I certainly did Mr.Steele an arrant injustice.

He was very respectful; I wonder how I ever got the idea he could be anything else." Anxious myself about this very fact, I attempted to reply, but she gave me no opportunity.
"And now for those dinner invitations!" she gaily suggested.

"While I feel like it I must busy myself in making out my list.

It will give me something new to think about.".