"As you please, dear uncle," said Mrs. Staines, with a sweet smile. "I
shall be very happy to go, or to stay. I shall be happy everywhere, with
my darling boy, and the thought of my husband. Why, I count the days
till he shall come back to me. No, to us; to us, my pet. How dare a
naughty mammy say to 'me,' as if 'me' was half the 'portance of oo, a
precious pets!"

Dr. Philip was surprised into a sigh.

"What is the matter, dear?" said Rosa, very quickly.

"The matter?"

"Yes, dear, the matter. You sighed; you, the laughing philosopher."

"Did I?" said he, to gain time. "Perhaps I remembered the uncertainty of
human life, and of all mortal hopes. The old will have their thoughts,
my dear. They have seen so much trouble."

"But, uncle dear, he is a very healthy child."

"Very."

"And you told me yourself carelessness was the cause so many children
die."

"That is true."

She gave him a curious and rather searching look; then, leaning over
her boy, said, "Mammy's not afraid. Beautiful Pet was not born to die