50 COUSIN CATHERINE’S SERVANTS.

“ But listen, dear,” mother went on. ‘At first I whispered,
because I thought I would not tell you anything to make you »
sorry just as you are going away; but I think you are old
enough to know. Baby Alice is ill, and I wish you to go and
stay with Cousin Catherine for a little while until I see whether
she is going to be very much worse or not. If she became
really ill you might be ill too if you stayed here, and it makes
poor mother anxious to think of it. Bea good little girl, and
the time will go very quickly. Now good-bye, darling! I must
hurry away.”

“But couldn’t I kiss Baby Alice first?” said Edith, her lip
quivering a little; “because last night I gave her the worst
sweet—the yellow one instead of the red one—when father gave
me one for her and one for me! Oh, how I wish I hadn't done
ile

“Never mind, dearie; another time you will be able to give
Baby the best sweet, and then you will not be unhappy after.
Cheer up, my pet!” After saying a few words more to nurse
about packing Edith’s things, and giving one more kiss to her
little daughter, who was trying bravely not to cry, mother went
back as fast as she could to Baby Alice, while nurse set to work
at putting Edith’s things together.

“Now, Miss Edith,” she said, popping her head in at the
‘nursery door, ‘which of all your toys do you want to take? I
shouldn't take any if I were you—you won't need them there—
you will find plenty to amuse you.”

But Edith could not part from Florence, her oldest dolly,
although she was spoilt (not in the same way that little girls
sometimes are). She had fallen down the stairs and knocked
her nose off, as well as having cracked her chin at the same
time ; so that Edith was obliged to cuddle her a great deal when
she picked her up, and say, ‘“ Never mind, my darling Florence!