Taro was so surprised to see a baby in the bundle that he had
not said a word. He just sat still and looked astonished.

"Well, Taro, how is it with you?" said his Father. "Would you
like to keep the Baby, too?"

"I'd even rather have him than a puppy!" said Taro very
solemnly. And that was a great deal for Taro to say, for he had
wanted a puppy for ever so many weeks.

"So would I rather have him than a puppy," the Father said;
"ever so much rather."

Just then the Baby puckered up his nose, and opened his little
bit of a mouth--and a great big squeal came out of it! You would
never have believed that such a big squeal could possibly come
out of such a little mouth. And he squirmed more than ever.

Then Natsu, the nurse, said, "There, there, little one! Come to
your old Natsu, and she will carry you to Mother again."

"Let me carry him," Take begged.

"No, let me," said Taro.

But Natsu said, "No, no, I will carry him myself. But you may
come with me, if you want to, and see your Mother."

So Taro and Take and their Father all tiptoed quietly into the
Mother's room, and sat down on the floor beside her bed.