'Then here's one day off.' She kept a calendar of the holidays in this way, and every morning checked a day off in exactly the same manner.

She did it gloomily until she came to ten, but when she got into two figures she became more hopeful, and, as the time advanced, even jocular.
It was on this very first day that I had the misfortune to throw her, though she was not subject to such weakness in general, into a state of violent consternation.

I came into the room where she and my mother were sitting; and the baby (who was only a few weeks old) being on my mother's lap, I took it very carefully in my arms.

Suddenly Miss Murdstone gave such a scream that I all but dropped it.
'My dear Jane!' cried my mother.
'Good heavens, Clara, do you see ?' exclaimed Miss Murdstone.
'See what, my dear Jane ?' said my mother; 'where ?' 'He's got it!' cried Miss Murdstone.

'The boy has got the baby!' She was limp with horror; but stiffened herself to make a dart at me, and take it out of my arms.