BUYING A BROTHER. 161

sleeper in the cradle, “I’d rather have him
than aunt Madge; for he’ll stay to our house,
and sleep in my crib.”

“How now?” said Dr. Gray, pinching
Dotty’s cheek; “made up your mind?”

“Yes, sir,” replied the child, with her
finger in her mouth; “I’m goin’ to buy him.
I mean, I’m goin’ to if I can get him for
two dollars and a half.”

“A generous sum,” laughed the doctor.
“Well said. Now, the next thing is, to
obtain his mother’s consent.”

This was very easily done, for Mrs. Gray,
who was not strong, and had only a young
girl in the kitchen, declared that, dearly as
she loved the baby, she found him a deal of
trouble.

Dotty’s face (vas radiant; but Prudy, who
understood that the whole conversation was

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