'I am quite strong,' she said; 'you must tell me now.' 'Is baby asleep?
Put him in the cradle.' 'Is it so bad as that ?' 'I do not say that it is bad at all.

There is nothing bad in it,--except a lie.

Let me put him in the cradle.' Then he took the child very gently and deposited him, fast asleep, among the blankets.

He had already assumed for himself the character of being a good male nurse; and she was always delighted when she saw the baby in his arms.

Then he came and seated himself close to her on the sofa, and put his arm round her waist.