business, anyhow—and by the way I've just remembered something that might do if I can find it. About six months ago one of my customers arsked me to put up a bill in the window, wishing for to adopt a child, an' I did, but nothink came of it, and so I took it down after a month or two and put it aside somewhere. If I could find it, it might be somethink like you want."
"Pray do look for it. I shall be greatly obliged."
After some rummaging in various drawers and boxes, and calling upstairs to an invisible "'Lizer," the document, dirty and fly-stained, was found under a heap of old newspapers and handed to Prudence.
It read:—
"A respectable married woman, having no children of
her own, would like to adopt or mind a healthy baby.
Comfortable home. Care and affection of a mother
guaranteed. Premium required. Address, by letter
only, X. Y. Z., 42, Plummer's Cottages, Barker's Rents,
Elm Lane."
Miss Prudence was enchanted.
"The very thing!" she exclaimed. "'Comfortable home.' 'Care and affection of a mother guaranteed.' Just what I want."
