hearted over the thought of losing his child that he--There! See! See
the lovely smile once more?"

It was true that the instant Mrs. Bingle received the plump wriggler
in her arms, the beaming smile was restored. Jean moved quickly into
the background, and turned his miserable face away from the scene.

The Rousseau baby WAS adorable, there could be no mistake about that.
In previous experiences, Mr. and Mrs. Bingle had encountered half-
starved, unhappy, whining infants. This was the first time they had
come upon a lusty, apparently over-fed specimen, and they were at once
filled with the joy of covetousness. Thick yellow curls, bright blue
eyes, and cheeks that would have shamed the peach's bloom--and a
nearly completed row of tiny white teeth--such was the Rousseau
applicant at first glance. Moreover, its clothing was clean, soft and
sweet-smelling of fabrics that do not often find their way into the
houses of the poverty-stricken.

"Wait!" exclaimed Rouquin, fairly dancing with exuberant joy. "Wait!
Now, Mr. Bingle--now for the guess, sir. I give you but one guess.
What is it--a boy or a girl?"

Madame Rousseau clasped her hands ecstatically upon her bosom. "Oh, as
if my baby could be anything but--"

"Sh!" hissed the master of ceremonies.

So much whirlwind excitement as all this, so much radiant joy over the
disposal of a baby, had never entered into any previous negotiation,
and Mr. Bingle was quite carried away by the novelty of the situation.