"Oh!" cried Azalea, aloud, "what an angel baby!"
"Hush!" whispered Patty, "don't wake her!" and Nurse Winnie stood around
in a state of nervous apprehension.
"No, I won't," Azalea said, in such a loud whisper, that it was scarce a
whisper at all,--rather a muffled shout.
And then she poked her forefinger into the baby's roseleaf cheek.
"Pretty!" she said, beaming at the child.
"Oh, don't touch her!" Patty cried out. "Come away, Azalea!" for she
really didn't know what the strange girl would do next.
"Pshaw! I didn't hurt her. If she's such a touch-me-not, she's no fun at
all! But every-body's like that with their first baby! Silly! Fussy! Just
ridiculous!"
"I daresay," laughed Patty, determined not to show her annoyance.
"But it's time to dress for dinner,--or nearly. Come back to your
room,--and--wouldn't you like to take a fifteen minute nap? It might
refresh you."
"It would _not_! Take a nap in broad daylight! I never heard of such a
thing! Oh, well, if I can't speak to that kid let's go back to my room.
I'll skittle into my frock and go down to that flowery, bowery piazza
again. I like that."
"What shall you put on?" asked Patty, interestedly, as Azalea made a mad
dive into her trunk.
"Dunno. What say? This?" She held up a mussy looking white muslin,
trimmed with coarse embroidery and some imitation lace.
"That will do nicely," Patty said, relieved that it was at least white,
and not some of the flamboyant effects she saw still in the trunk.
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