It was a beautiful thing to see her walk carrying him in the strong and lovely curve of her arm as if his sturdy babyhood were of no more weight than a rose, and he cuddling against her, clinging and crowing, his wide brown eyes shining with delight.
"He has come to pay thee court, Anne," she said.

"He is a great gallant, and knows how we are his loving slaves.

He comes to say his new word that I have taught him." She set him down where he stood holding to Anne's knee and showing his new pearl teeth, in a rosy grin; his mother knelt beside him, beginning her coaxing.
"Who is she ?" she said, pointing with her finger at Anne's face, her own full of lovely fear lest the child should not speak rightly his lesson.
"What is her name?
Mammy's man say--" and she mumbled softly with her crimson mouth at his ear.
The child looked up at Anne, with baby wit and laughter in his face, and stammered sweetly-- "Muz--Muzzer--Anne," he said, and then being pleased with his cleverness, danced on his little feet and said it over and over.
Clorinda caught him up and set him on Anne's lap.
"Know you what he calls you ?" she said.

"'Tis but a mumble, his little tongue is not nimble enough for clearness, but he says it his pretty best.

'Tis Mother Anne, he says--'tis Mother Anne." And then they were in each other's arms, the child between them, he kissing both and clasping both, with little laughs of joy as if they were but one creature.
Each child born they clasped and kissed so, and were so clasped and kissed by; each one calling the tender unwed woman "Mother Anne," and having a special lovingness for her, she being the creature each one seemed to hover about with innocent protection and companionship.
The wonder of Anne's life grew deeper to her hour by hour, and where she had before loved, she learned to worship, for 'twas indeed worship that her soul was filled with.