"Oh, you may rock him gently, if you like," says Vee. "And I don't suppose he'd mind if you sang a bit." "Wouldn't that be takin' a mean advantage?" says I. Vee laughs and goes off so I can practice alone, which was thoughtful of her. I didn't find it so bad this time. I discovers I can wiggle my toes occasionally without lettin' him crash on to the floor. And I begun to get used to lookin' at him at close range, too. His nose don't seem quite so hopeless as it did. I shouldn't wonder but what he'd grow a reg'lar nose there in time. And their little ears are cute, ain't they? But say, it was them big blue eyes that got me interested. First off they sort of wandered around the room aimless; but after a while they steadies down into gazin' at me sort of curious and admirin'. I rather liked that. "How about it, Snookums?" says I. "What do you think of your amateur daddy? Or are you wonderin' if your hair'll be as red as mine? Don't you care. There's worse things in life than bein' bright on top. Eh? Think you'd like to get your fingers in it? Might burny-burn. Well, try it once, if you like." And I ducks my head so he can reach that wavin' forelock of mine. "Googly-goo!" remarks Sonny, indicatin' 'most anything you're a mind to call it. Anyway, he seems to be entertained. We was gettin' acquainted fast. Pretty soon he pulls a smile on me. Say, it's the real thing in the smile line, too--confidential and chummy. I has to smile back. "That's the trick, Buster!" says I. "Friendly face motions is what wins." "Goo-oogly-goo!" says he. "True words!" says I. "I believe you." We must have kept that up for near half an hour, until he shows signs of gettin' sleepy. Just before he drops off, though, he was wavin' one of his hands around, and the first thing I know them soft little pink fingers has circled about my thumb. Say, that turned the trick--just that. Ever had a baby grip you that way? Your own, I mean? If you have, I expect you'll know what I'm drivin' at. And if you ain't--well, you got something comin' to you. It's a thing I couldn't tell you about. It's a gentle sort of thrill, that spreads and spreads until it gets 'way inside of you--under your vest, on the left side. When Vee finally comes in to see how we're gettin' along, he's snoozin' calm and peaceful, with a sketchy smile kind of flickerin' on and off that rosebud mouth of his, like he was indulgin' in pleasant dreams. Also, them little pink fingers was still wrapped around my thumb. "Well, if you aren't a picture, you two!" says Vee, bendin' over and whisperin' in my ear. "This ain't a pose," says I. "It's the real thing." "You mean----" begins Vee. "I mean I've qualified," says I. "Maybe I didn't show up so strong durin' the initiation, but I squeaked through. I'm a reg'lar daddy now. See! He's givin' me the inside brother grip--on my thumb. You can call Auntie in, if you like." CHAPTER XVII A LOW TACKLE BY TORCHY