"No-sir-ee! Zaly is a terror, and a trial in lots of ways, but if she had let that child fall, she would have called Patty and Winnie and the whole household for help, and would have run for the doctor herself! She never would have run away! Not Azalea! She's no coward,--whatever other unpleasant traits she may possess." "That's so," agreed Patty; "and she truly loves the baby. No, Elise, nothing like that happened,--I'm sure. I see it as Bill does, now. It _is_ a heavenly day,--and Zaly felt pretty sure I wouldn't let her take Baby out by herself, without the nurse,--and she does love to do that,--and so she sneaked off, and made up that yarn about the food in order to get Fleurette's hat and coat on! Oh, she's a manoeuvrer!" "Well, I'm glad you both feel that way about it," said Elise; "of course you know the girl better than I do,--as I've never even seen her! but if she's such a strong-arm, I think I'm rather afraid of her!" "Oh, I imagine you can hold your own against her!" laughed Patty, happy now, since Bill's reassurance of her darling's safety. "All the same, I wish Zaly would come home! It's after six! Come on, Elise, let's dress for dinner, and then that will be done." They went to their rooms, and soon Patty was all dressed and had returned to her post of vantage on the wistaria porch, to look for the return of the lost ones. And at last, through the gathering dusk, she saw a baby carriage being propelled along the roadway. "Here we are!" cried a voice, which Azalea tried hard to make casual, but which showed in its quality a trace of apprehension. "Oh!" Patty cried, and without another word flew down the steps, and fairly grabbed her baby. The child was asleep, but Patty lifted her from the pillows and gazed into the little face. Apparently there was nothing wrong, but the golden head cuddled down on Patty's shoulder and the baby slept on. "She's tired," vouchsafed Azalea, "but she's all right." "Where have you been?" asked Farnsworth sternly, as he came out of the front door. "Just for a walk," said Azalea, trying to speak pertly, but quailing before the accusing blue eyes fixed upon her. Patty said no word to the girl, but holding Fleurette close, went at once to the nursery with her. "She's all right, Winnie, isn't she?" the mother asked, anxiously. "Yes, ma'am,--I think so,--but she's a little too droopy for mere sleepiness." "Droopy! what do you mean?" "It may be nothing,--Mrs. Farnsworth,--it may be only that she's tired out and very sleepy,--but she acts a mite as if she'd been--" "Been what? Speak out, Winnie! What do you mean?" "Well,--she acts to me like a baby that's had something soothing--some drops, you know." "Something to make her sleep?" "Yes, ma'am." "Oh, nonsense! Miss Thorpe couldn't give her anything like that! And why would she? Don't you make any mistake, Winnie, Miss Thorpe adores this baby!" "I know it, she does, Mrs. Farnsworth, but all the same,--look at those eyes, now."