from her room--shared as long as she remembered with Suzanna--crept down
the stairs and into the parlor where her father sat studying, as always,
a formidable book, the while her mother sat sewing, her chair drawn
close to his. Maizie went straight to the quiet figure.

"Mother," she said, "Suzanna told me to stay awake till the clock struck
nine and then to give you this."

"This" was a note folded into the shape of a cocked hat, which Suzanna
thought very elegant. Mrs. Procter, accustomed to Suzanna's ways,
unfolded the note, smiled at the large printed letters, sighed a little
at the thought of the great effort put into their forming, read once,
twice, then sat up very straight. The note thus told its own story:

My Loving Mother:

I have given myself to the Reynolds for there own.
Mrs. Reynolds is not happy with Reynolds' slams of
doors and crossness be cause they have no child.
They will be pretty sprised to see me to night and
glad with my big shiny bag witch I have borrowed
from my once very loved father. I have my pink
dress witch will soon be a rose in it and my other
things. I wore my hat and coat even if it is warm.
You will not miss me much because the last baby
went away and a baby always makes more work. And
anyway one little girl out of a big family wont
make any difrunce. But if you want any fine
errands ran, you can borrow Mrs. Reynolds new
child. Tell father I am loving my naybor as