He was a fine, hearty, strong child, and nothing ever seemed to ail him.

Oh, it rises up before me now what a beautiful picture he made when he stood in his little red velvet dress by your mamma's knee, and she so proud of him! There's no mistake, but he was the very light of her eyes.

She took him up to London, and a nursemaid--not me, you may be quite sure--took him out.

She went into a big shop, and the child was by her side.

She kept him standing by her as she ordered some things across the counter, and, I suppose, she turned her head for a minute, for when she looked round again he was gone.