had fired a gun, half scared herself and shrinking from the
report.

Ethel seconded her mother. "Yes," said she, "Miss Eudora has
adopted a baby, and she has a baby-carriage, and she wheels it
out any time she takes a notion." Ethel's speech was of the
nature of an after-climax. The baby-carriage weakened the
situation.

The other women seized upon the idea of the carriage to cover
their surprise and prevent too much gloating on the part of Mrs.
Glynn, Ethel, and Julia.

"Is it a new carriage?" inquired Mrs. Lee.

"No, it looks like one that came over in the ark," retorted Mrs.
Glynn. Then she repeated: "She has adopted a baby," but this time
there was no effect of an explosion. However, the treble chorus
rose high, "Where did she get the baby? Was it a boy or a girl?
Why did she adopt it? Did it cry much?" and other queries, none
of which Mrs. Glynn, Ethel, and Julia could answer very decidedly
except the last. They all announced that the adopted baby was
never heard to cry at all.

"Must be a very good child," said Abby.

"Must be a very healthy child," said Mrs. Lee, who had had
experience with crying babies.

"Well, she has it, anyhow," said Mrs. Glynn.