"I did think of taking her and going to my sister's," continued Mrs. Harding, "but Peaches isn't accustomed to meeting people, while Mickey and I both thought being among strangers and changing beds and food would be worse for her than the annoyance of remodelling; then too, I wanted very much to see the work here done as I desired. At first I was doubtful about keeping her, but she doesn't mind in the least; she even takes her afternoon naps with hammers pounding not so far from her----" "Gee, there is no noise and jar here to compare with Multiopolis," said Mickey. "She's all right, getting stronger every day." Peaches spread both hands, looking at them critically, back and palm. "They are better," she said. "You ought to seen them when they was so clawy they made Mickey shiver if I touched him; and first time I wanted to kiss something or go like granny did, he wouldn't let me 'til I cried, an' then he made me put it on his forehead long time, 'til I got so the bones didn't scratch him; didn't you Mickey?" "Well I wish you wouldn't tell everything!" "Then I won't," said Peaches, "'cause _I'm_ your fam'ly, an' I must do what _you_ say; an' _you_ are _my_ fam'ly, an' you must do what _I_ say. Are you a fam'ly?" she questioned Leslie and Douglas. "We hope to be soon," laughed Leslie. "Then," said Peaches, "you can look how we're fixing our house so you can make yours nice as this. Mickey, I want to show that pretty lady in the auto'bile my Precious Child." "Sure!" said Mickey. "I'll go tell her. And the man with her is Miss Leslie's father, just like Peter is ours; you want to show him the Child, don't you?" "Maybe!" said Peaches with a tantalizing smirk. "Miss Chicken, you're getting well too fast," commented Mickey in amazement as he started to the car. Because of what Mr. Winton had said to him the previous day, he composed and delivered this greeting when he reached it: "Lily is asking to show you her Precious Child, Mrs. Minturn, and I want both of you to see our home, and meet our new father and mother. Letting us have them is one thing the law does that makes up a little for the Orphings' Homes most kids get who have had the bad luck to lose their own folks." "Mickey, are you prejudiced against Orphans' Homes?" asked Mrs. Minturn as she stepped from the car. "Ain't no name for it," said Mickey. "I'm dead against bunching children in squads. If rich folks want to do something worth while with their money, they can do it by each family taking as many orphings as they can afford, and raising them personal. See?" "I should say I do!" exclaimed the lady. "I must speak to James about that. We have two of our own, and William, but I believe we could manage a few more." "I know one I'd like very much to try," said Mr. Winton, but Mickey never appeared so unconscious.