Page:Samantha on Children's Rights.djvu/312

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  • utes, and Thomas J. went to find his Pa, wantin' to see

him on bizness. The baby looked sweet as a rosebud, and Maggie looked like the parent rose on the same stem.

Maggie couldn't take off her bunnet even, for they had to be back before noon, but she said they wuz comin' down that week to stay all day. But I did take off the baby's little white silk hood and snowy cashmere cloak, and made of it a sight, Delight lookin' on as happy as a little queen. After they went away I spoke as is nateral to Aunt Polly about the charms and loveliness of that baby, and Aunt Polly winked at me real knowin' and sez to Delight:

"Your nose is broke now, young lady."

Delight put her little finger up to her nose and felt of it anxiously, and I wunk at Aunt Polly to say no more, for I knew what she meant—it wuz that this new babe of Thomas Jefferson's would push little Delight out of my heart. But Aunt Polly is real kinder obstinate; I guess her sister-in-law is right when she sez, "No mule wuz ever more balky than Polly Worden."

But then I realize that she is a old maiden and has had five disappointments and some say seven, and they have embittered her. She heeded not the wink I wunk at her and kep' right on:

"The little new baby will take your place now in Grandma's heart."

Delight looked troubled, on her smooth little brow I could see fall the first faint shadow of that great, black shape that we call jealousy. Her sweet eyes looked as if they wuz cloudin' up ready for tears. And I wunk severer and more voyalent winks at Aunt Polly; if ever a wink spoke them did, and said, "Stop immegiately."