The General, smothered in that sudden hug, whimpered a little and kicked out wildly with his fat, white-stockinged legs. Seen from the rear he had the appearance of a neat, if excited, package, unaccountably frilled about with embroidered flannel. Delia straightened herself, dabbed apologetically at her eyes, and coughed. "It's bottle time," she announced in horror-stricken tones, consulting a large nickel watch hanging from her belt, under the apron. "It's down in the carriage. Could I have a little boiling water to heat it, if you please?" "Assuredly," said the Princess. "Ellis, will you get the--the bottle from the baby's carriage and some boiling water, please. Do you mix it here?" "Mix--the food is all prepared, madam." Delia spoke with repressed scorn. "I only want to heat it for him." "Oh, in that case, Ellis, take it down and have it heated, or," as the nurse half rose, "perhaps you would feel better about it if you attended to it yourself?" "Yes, I think I will go down if you don't mind--when persons aren't used to 'em they're apt to be a little careless, and I wouldn't have it break and him losing his three o'clock bottle, for the world. You know how it is." The Princess shook her head whimsically. "But surely you will leave the baby," and she moved toward them again. "I will hold it," with a half grimace at her own condescension. "It seems so very good and cheerful--I thought they cried. Will it come to me?" Delia loosened her arms, but tightened them again as the little creature leaned forward to catch at the swinging lace on the lady's gown. "I--I think I'll take baby with me. Thank you just the same, and he'll go to any one--yes, indeed--but I feel sort of nervous, I think I'd better take him. If anything should happen.... Wave your hand good-bye, now, General!" The General flapped his arms violently, and bestowed a toothless but affectionate grin upon the wearer of the fascinating, swaying lace, before he disappeared with the delighted Ellis in the van. "And can you buy all that devotion for twenty, thirty, or is it forty dollars a month, I wonder?" mused the Princess. "Dear me," she added, petulantly. "It really makes one actually _want_ to hold it! It seems a jolly little rat--they're not all like that, are they? They howl, I'm sure." Again Miss Honey took the floor. "When babies are sick or you don't treat them right," she announced didactically, "they cry, but not a well baby, Delia says. I"--with conscious pride--"screamed night and day for two weeks!" "Really!" observed the Princess. "That must have been--er--trying for your family!" "Worried to death!" Miss Honey rejoined airily, with such an adult intonation that the Princess started. "The General, he just laughs all the time," Caroline volunteered, "unless you tease him," she added guiltily, "and then he squawks." "Yes, indeed," Miss Honey bore witness, jealous of the lady's flashing smile to Caroline, "my mother says I'm twice the trouble he is!"