Part 24 (2/2)

Steve looked ashamed, but he was honest enough to nod slightly.

”And now you see there isn't a less wearisome, a nicer, brighter----”

Here Steve interrupted by stabbing the fire's front in a manner betokening the heartiest concurrence.

Just at this point the subject of these thrusts entered the room.

”No, you don't, Steve--no, sir. You shan't even have a squint till I get to the fire.”

And carefully covering Miss Baby from view, Nannie sidled along to her chair.

”Now! Ask daddy what he thinks of Miss Loveland!” she exclaimed, dropping all disguises suddenly and holding the pretty little creature up in the firelight.

”Oh, Nannie! short clothes!” said Steve with an admiring gasp.

”Yes,” said Nannie. ”Look at the darling little shoes! See her kick them! Oh, she's so glad to be rid of those long dresses.”

Steve's poker was greatly agitated.

”Nannie,” he said, in his quiet way, ”I hardly think I can wait much longer.”

”Then you shall have her. Now! Here she goes, daddy!” and Nannie tossed the baby, all laughter and dimples, into the delighted father's arms.

True to her s.e.x, she proceeded to grasp all he had--the poker. Steve held on for safety, but Miss Baby wielded it, and straightway the fire sent forth a shower of sparks that went frolicking up the chimney in pure glee.

”Steve,” said Nannie, pointing to them, ”look! See how p.r.o.ne to sin you are.”

But Steve had no time for his derelictions; he was busy studying the wonderful baby.

”Nannie,” he said, ”this marks an epoch; and it's Constance's birthday.”

”It's your birthday, too, you dear old stupid!” laughed Nannie.

”Why, so it is. I never realized before that we were twins.”

”He never realizes anything about himself, does he, baby?”

The baby gave a great a.s.senting dab at the fire, necessitating a prompt examination of all her gear to see if she had caught anywhere.

”He's always thinking of other people and forgetting himself, isn't he, baby?”

Another dab still bigger and another overlooking.

”Oh, my dear!” stammered Steve.

”Just you hush,” said Nannie imperiously. ”And he's too foolish and forgetful of himself to dream that there's a birthday dinner almost ready in the dining-room and some be-au-ti-ful things under somebody's plate.”

Here Steve was helplessly and hopelessly embarra.s.sed, but Nannie s.n.a.t.c.hed the baby and went on:

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