"Never mind, Aunt Rosa, don't worry now; I'll manage to take
good care of the little creature. I know what you're after,--
you want her yourself."

"Ho, ho ho! Laws, now, Miss Tilda, you dun know noffing 'bout babies;
takes an old mammy like me to fotch 'em up. Come here, child;
what's yer name?"

The frightened little one, whose tongue had not yet learned to utter
many words, made no attempt to answer, but stood timidly looking
from one to another of the surrounding group.

"She ha'n't got no name, 'ta'n't likely," suggested Nance.

"We must christen her, then," said Miss Lee.

"Carroll called her Tidy," remarked the old gentleman, entering the room
at that moment.

"DAT'S a name of 'spectability," said Rosa, with a satisfied air.
"'Tis my 'pinion chillen should allus have 'spectable names,
else they're 'posed on in dis yer world. Nudd's Tidy, now, dere's a
spec'men for yer. Never was no more 'complished 'fectioner dan she.
She knowed how to cook all de earth, she did. Hi! couldn't she
barbecue a heifer, or brile a cock's comb, jest as 'spertly as
Miss Tilda here broiders a ruffle. Right smart cretur she wor.
And so YE'RE a gwine to be, honey,--your old mammy sees it in de
tips ob yer fingers;" and Rosa caught up the child, and well-nigh
smothered it with all sorts of maternal fondnesses.