"That's it," she summed up, after telling Elise of this; "you see, I haven't approved of such long absences and so Zaly just walked off. Of course, she sent Winnie down for the food, in order to get a chance to put on Baby's things, and depart unseen." "But she told the nurse _you_ ordered the food prepared." "Yes. I may as well own up, Elise, that Azalea is not strictly truthful." "Why do you have her around? I think she's horrid!" "Well, you see, _I_ got her here. To be sure, she is Little Billee's cousin,--that is, second or third cousin,--once or twice removed--" "I wish she was removed from here,--once, twice and all the time!" declared Elise. "Bill had no business to inflict her on you!" "He didn't. He fairly begged me not to invite her here. But I insisted on it. You see, we neither of us had any idea of what she was like. Bill hadn't seen her since she was a baby, and she was different then!" "I s'pose so! Well, having found out how 'different' she is now, why don't you send her home?" "Oh, I can't. And, to tell you the truth, Elise, I want to help the girl. She's ignorant and inexperienced, but she has a sort of native quickness and wit, and I feel sure if I could teach her for a while, she could learn to be one of us,--and in time become a fine woman." "Oh, you philanthropist! And meantime she has run off with your baby!" "The baby carriage is gone, Mrs. Farnsworth," said Winnie, appearing suddenly. "So I expect Miss Thorpe took baby in that." "Yes, probably," said Patty, despairingly. "Oh, Elise, this suspense is driving me crazy! If I knew that Zaly had her,--and if I knew nothing had happened, I'd feel _so_ relieved. But suppose she did break Fleurette's little arm or leg--" "Or back!" put in Elise; "you must _not_ let her pitch the baby around! It's criminal!" "But you don't know how deft she is. Why, she's almost a contortionist herself. She can turn handsprings and--" "I don't care if she's the greatest acrobat the world ever saw! There's _always_ chance of an accident! And with a baby, you _never_ know. Suppose Fleurette squirmed out of her grasp, just as she--" "Oh, hush! Elise, you drive me distracted! It _can't_ be anything like that!" "Yes, it can! I hope it isn't, but do let this be a lesson to you, Patty! Don't ever allow that girl to see the baby again,--much less touch her! I think you and Bill must have taken leave of your senses to give her such freedom! Why, you don't deserve to have that heavenly baby!" "That's so, Elise, I don't!" and Patty broke into a flood of tears. "My little flower! My precious own baby! How could I ever let Azalea touch her? But, Elise, Zaly loves her as much as we do." "That may be,--and of course, she wouldn't harm the child wilfully. But, as I said, accidents will happen,--and if it's Bill's fault, why,--of course, it's his own child,--and that's different. But Azalea has no business to take chances with other people's children."