The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-17
(Continued.)
CHAPTER XxXVI.

futed by the event.
She became the happy mother OF
naxen- haired boy. She insisted on nurs-
ing him herself; and the experienced per-
sons who attended her raised no objection.
In connection with this she gave slr
Charles a peck not very severe, put SUD
den and remarkable as the only one on
record.
He was contemplating her and her
nursing with the deepest anecuon, ana
happened 10 say, MY own Bella, wnat
delight Il gives me to see you
Yes" said she, I'VE will have only
one mother this time, will we. my dar-
ling? and II shall be Me-" Then sud
denly. turning her head like a snake. ION,
] saw the looks you gave that woman!
This was the famous peck; administered
In return for a look that had bestowed on
Mary Gosport not more than hve years
ago.
Sir Charles would. doubtless. have bled
70 death on the spot. but either he had
never been aware how he looked. or time
and business had obliterated the impress
sion, for he was unaffectedly puzzled, and
said, What woman do you mean, dear7
.No matter. darling said Lady Bas-
sett. who had already repented her dire
severtty. ',all I say is that a nurse Is
rival could not endure now; and another
thinf, do believe those wet-nurses
give their disposition to the child; IL Is
dreadful 10 think Of
"Weu. II so. baby Is safe. He will be
the most amiable boy in England"
HE shall be more amiable than i am
scolding my husband OF husbands" and
she leaned toward him, baby ana all LOT
a kiss from his lips.
We say at school "Seniores priores-
'let favor go by seniority"-but where
babies adorn the scene. II Is Juniores
priores" with that sex TO which the very
young are confded.
To this rule. as might be expected, Lady
Bassett furnished no exception; she was
absorbed In baby. and trusted Mr.. Bassett
q good deal TO his attendant, who bore an
excellent character for care and attention.
Now Mr.. Bassett was strong on his pins
and in his win. and his nurse maid. after
all, was young: so he used 10 take his
walk nearly every day TO Mrs Meyrfck ::
che petted him enough, and spoiled him
in every way, while the nurse-maid was
flirting with her farm-servants out OF
eight.
Cir Charles was devoted to the boy. and
used always to have him In his study In
the morning and to the drawing-room ar
ter dinner. when the party was. small.
and that happened much oftener than
heretofore: but at other house he did not
look after him. being business man, and
COnSlOeT1ng MIN AT tIldt axe 10 NC uhurf
his mothers care.
One day the only guest was Mr.. Rolfe;
he was staying in the house for three
days, upon a condition suggested by him
self-viz.: that he might enjoy his friends
society in peace and comfort. and not be
set 20 roll the stone OF conversation up
some young lady's back, and obtain mono
syllables in reply. faintly lisped amid a
clatter OF fourteen knives and forks. AZ
he would not leave his writing table on
any milder terms. they took him on these.
After dinner in came Mr.. Bassett, erect,
and a proud nurse with little Compton,
just able to hold his nurses gown and
toddle.
Rolfe did not like small children; he Just
glanced at the angelic. fair-haired infant.
but his admiring gaze rested on the elder
boy.
why. what is here-an Oriental
prince7'
The boy ran to him directly. "who are
your"
"Rolfe the writcr. who are you-the
Gypsy King7'
mo; but / am very fond of gypsies.
I'm Mister Bassett: and when papa dies
I shall he Sir Charles Bassett,"
Sir Charles laughed at this with pater-
nal faulty, especially as the boys name
happened 10 be Reginald Francis, after
his grandfather.
Rolfe smiled satirically. for these little
speeches from children did much to rec
oncile him TO his lot.
Meantime" said he. '1et us feed off
him: for II may be forty years before we
can dance over his grave. First. let us
see what is the unwholesomest thing on
the table"
He rose. and 10 the infinite delight OF
Mr. Bassett, and even OF Master Compton
who pointed and crowed from his
mothers lap, he got his chair. and put
on a pair OF spectacles to look.
."Eurekar said he; behold that dish
by Lady Bassett; these are marrons
glaces: fetch them here and let us 20
In for n fit of the gout at once"
''Gout! what's that?" Inquired Mr..
Bassett.
Don't ask me-"
you don't know"
mot know What, didn't I tell you 1
was Rolfe, the writer. Writers know
everything. That is what makes them so
modest"
Mr. Bassett was now unnaturally silent
for five minutes, munching chesnuts; ;
this enabled his guests TO converse; but
as soon as he had cleared his plate. he
cut right across the conversation. with
that savage contempt for all topics but
his own which characterizes gentlemen
OF his age. and says he 10 Rolfe. You
know everything? Then whata parsons
brat?"
well, that's the one thing I don't
know" said Rolfe: but brat take TO
be n boy who interrupts ladies and gen.
tlemen with nonsense when they are
talking sense"
IT am very much obliged TO you Mr..
Rofe." said Lady Bassett THAT re-
mark was very much needed"
Then she called Reginald 10 her, and
lectured him. soto voce. to the same
tune.
You old bachelors are rather hard"
said Sir Charles. not very well pleased.
I'VE are obliged TO be; your parents are
90 soft After all. IL In no wonder. What
a superb boy IL Isl All. her is nurse. I'm
60 sorry. Now we shall be cablned.
cribbed. confined 10 rational conversation
and shall not be expected to-(good-
night, little flaxon angel good-by. hand
some and loquacious demon kiss and be
friends)-expected TO know all In a min
ute. what is n parsons brat. BY the
bye. talking OF parsons what has become
OF Angelo7"
'Tfe has beer away rood many