Mrs. Gerrish leaned forward and spoke across the six legs of her children, who were all three standing up in their chairs: “You don't mean to say that's Idella Peck? Where's her father?” “Somewhere, she says,” said Annie, willing to answer Mrs. Gerrish with the child's nonchalance. “Well, that's great!” said Mrs. Gerrish. “I should think he better be looking after her--or some one.” The music ceased, and the last act of the play began. Before it ended, Idella had fallen asleep, and Annie sat still with her after the crowd around her began to break up. Mrs. Savor kept her seat beside Annie. She said, “Don't you want I should spell you a little while, Miss Kilburn?” She leaned over the face of the sleeping child. “Why, she ain't much more than a baby! William, you go and see if you can't find Mr. Peck. I'm goin' to stay here with Miss Kilburn.” Her husband humoured her whim, and made his way through the knots and clumps of people toward the rope enclosing the tennis-court. “Won't you let me hold her, Miss Kilburn?” she pleaded again. “No, no; she isn't heavy; I like to hold her,” replied Annie. Then something occurred to her, and she started in amazement at herself. “Or yes, Mrs. Savor, you _may_ take her a while;” and she put the child into the arms of the bereaved creature, who had fallen desolately back in her chair. She hugged Idella up to her breast, and hungrily mumbled her with kisses, and moaned out over her, “Oh dear! Oh my! Oh my!” XVII. The people beyond the rope had nearly all gone away, and Mr. Savor was coming back across the court with Mr. Peck. The players appeared from the grove at the other end of the court in their vivid costumes, chatting and laughing with their friends, who went down from the piazzas and terraces to congratulate them. Mrs. Munger hurried about among them, saying something to each group. She caught sight of Mr. Peck and Mr. Savor, and she ran after them, arriving with them where Annie sat. “I hope you were not anxious about Idella,” Annie said, laughing. “No; I didn't miss her at once,” said the minister simply; “and then I thought she had merely gone off with some of the other children who were playing about.” “You shall talk all that over later,” said Mrs. Munger. “Now, Miss Kilburn, I want you and Mr. Peck and Mr. and Mrs. Savor to stay for a cup of coffee that I'm going to give our friends out there. Don't you think they deserve it? Wasn't it a wonderful success? They must be frightfully exhausted. Just go right out to them. I'll be with you in one moment. Oh yes, the child! Well, bring her into the house, Mrs. Savor; I'll find a place for her, and then you can go out with me.” “I guess you won't get Maria away from her very easy,” said Mr. Savor, laughing. His wife stood with the child's cheek pressed tight against hers.