In the meantime Margaret, with the little babe, to-morrow to be her
godchild, lying gently in her arms, came out into the matted hall,
and began to mount the broad shallow-stepped staircase, protected by
low stout balusters, with a very thick, flat, and solid mahogany
hand-rail, polished by the boys' constant riding up and down upon it.
She was only on the first step, when the dining-room door opened, and
there came out a young man, slight, and delicate-looking, with bright
blue eyes, and thickly-curling light hair. "Acting nurse?" he said,
smiling. "What an odd little face it is! I didn't think little
white babies were so pretty! Well, I shall always consider myself as
the real godfather--the other is all a sham."

"I think so," said Margaret; "but I must not stand with her in a
draught," and on she went, while he called after her. "So we are to
have an expedition to-day."

She did not gainsay it, but there was a little sigh of disappoint-
ment, and when she was out of hearing, she whispered, "Oh! lucky
baby, to have so many years to come before you are plagued with
troublesome propriety!"

Then depositing her little charge with the nurse, and trying to cheer
up a solemn-looking boy of three, who evidently considered his
deposition from babyhood as a great injury, she tripped lightly down
again, to take part in the Saturday's reading and catechising.

It was pleasant to see that large family in the hush and reverence of
such teaching, the mother's gentle power preventing the outbreaks of
restlessness to which even at such times the wild young spirits were
liable. Margaret and Miss Winter especially rejoiced in it on this