around Eudora.

"Are you sure you are not utterly worn out, dear?" asked Amelia,
tenderly; and the others repeated the question in exactly the
same tone. The Lancaster sisters were not pretty, but all had
charming expressions of gentleness and a dignified good-will and
loving kindness. Their blue eyes beamed love at Eudora, and it
was as if she sat encircled in a soul-ring of affection.

She responded, and her beautiful face glowed with tenderness and
pleasure, and something besides, which was as the light of
victory.

"I am not in the least tired, thank you, dears," she replied.
"Why should I be tired? I am very strong."

Amelia murmured something about such hard work.

"I never thought it would be hard work taking care of a baby,"
replied Eudora, "and especially such a very light baby."

Something whimsical crept into Eudora's voice; something
whimsical crept into the love-light of the other women's eyes.
Again a soft ripple of mirth swept over them.

"Especially a baby who never cries," said Amelia.

"No, he never does cry," said Eudora, demurely.

They laughed again. Then Amelia rose and left the room to get