"If I can find out how she likes it," was his enigmatic answer. "She may not work out as I want her to. Heroines are women, you know." "Well, of all things! If you can't make your heroine behave, I don't see who can!" "I don't," he said slowly. "But I shall do my best." Another day, she had something to show him, and she made a little mystery of it at first. She and Elly Precious knew! It was something sweet--it could be worn, but you seldom looked at it. It was soft and hard, too. You could--kiss it! When it was empty you wanted to kiss it, and when it was full you had to! "Show it to me!" he commanded; "think I can guess all that?" She brought it and laid it in his hands, delighted like a girl. "Feel of it--isn't it soft? And I never made one before, so it was hard! You seldom look at it, because it's worn in the dark. You'd like to kiss it now, it's so sweet, but when I put Elly Precious into it, you'll _have_ to kiss it! There, didn't I tell you right?" It was a little nightgown she had made for Elly Precious. He held it on his two big hands like something wonderful. Its little sleeves dangled over, and she caught one of them and squeezed it in a sort of soft ecstasy. "It's so little!" she cried in a whisper. "Aren't you going to kiss it?" "If you'll look away--I'm afraid to when you're looking." "I won't look," she laughed. "You look, Elly Precious!" The bath-times were the pleasantest to Miss Theodosia. Getting things together--little tub and powders and soaps and the fresh little clothes--was a beautiful beginning, and after that--after that, the deluge! The practice she had had washing that little ancient baby, in her former incarnation, stood Miss Theodosia in good stead! As she had bathed and rubbed and powdered her first baby eons ago, she bathed and rubbed and powdered this second one now. For she called Elly Precious her baby. That was their beautiful play. "We'll keep it a secret, won't we?--just between you and me, dear! We won't even tell Evangeline that you're my darlin' dear," she crooned over this second baby. Elly Precious played the game; he was a little sport, was Elly Precious. The morning after the little new-nightgown episode, the bath progressed thrillingly. That was, it seemed, the morning set by Elly Precious to give this new mother a glorious surprise. It could not be said that he had it up his little sleeve, being innocent of any manner of garment, but he had it prepared. Miss Theodosia dried the tiny body and set it far forward on her knees, facing her, and began as usual: "Now, baby, watch--watch hard! Make exactly the same noise I do." She put her lips in position for clear enunciation. "Mam--m-ma." Customarily, Elly Precious sat and chuckled gleefully and nakedly. This was a favorite play. But, oh, to-day-- "Mum--mum," said Elly Precious distinctly. Miss Theodosia caught him to her, slippery and sweet, with a cry of rapture.