I was scarcely seated when he said: "Mother, do you know anything about babies ?" "Oh, yes!" I said, smiling, "that is a department of knowledge on which I especially pride myself." "Well," said he, "there is a child that has cried most of the time for the last twenty-four hours.

What do you think ails it ?" Making a random supposition, I replied, "It probably needs a bath." He promptly rejoined, "If you will give it one, I will provide the necessary means." I said, "I will first see if the child will come to me and if the mother is willing." I found the mother only too glad to have a few minutes' rest, and the child too tired to care who took it.

She gave me a suit of clean clothes throughout, the gentleman spread his blanket shawl on the seat, securing the opposite one for me and the bathing appliances.

Then he produced a towel, sponge, and an india-rubber bowl full of water, and I gave the child a generous drink and a thorough ablution.

It stretched and seemed to enjoy every step of the proceeding, and, while I was brushing its golden curls as gently as I could, it fell asleep; so I covered it with the towel and blanket shawl, not willing to disturb it for dressing.