“O pa, can we play on it?” cried both the boys at once. Seth Miller frowned. But before he could speak, Anna smiled on him. “I guess they can, if I am in the room with them until they get used to it and know how to handle it, can’t they, pa?” she asked. And he assured her that of course they could. Meantime one and another tried to relieve Mr. Langley of his burden, though none was as disinterested as he seemed. The baby was sober--sad, indeed, but he was very comfortable to hold. He never wriggled as many babies do. And plain as he was, there was something appealing about him. And besides, there was always the prospect of being the fortunate one to win his first smile. But Mr. Langley refused all proffers. He wouldn’t even give him up to Miss Penny. “You may have him when I go, Miss Penny,” he said smiling, “but I want him as long as I stay. You’re all near neighbours and can see little Joe every day, but I seldom get a chance. But bless me, what’s the boy up to now?” Nothing very exciting, truly. A weak little hand was fumbling for Mr. Langley’s watch guard, the baby gazing at the bright trinkets with some interest. Of course the minister did the usual thing, drew out his watch and held it to the child’s ear. Joe listened attentively and apparently wished it to be held there indefinitely. Mr. Langley had to return it to his pocket, however, when he rose to take leave, and it was probably that which troubled the baby. But he thought, as he would have put the child in Miss Penny’s arms, that little Joe cried for him, and a certain satisfaction was apparent beneath his concern. The baby did not cry out. He did not make a sound. But two tears spilled upon his thin cheeks and the maternal Anna seized him anxiously. Burying his face in her shoulder, Joe, Junior, found instant solace. “I want to speak to you a moment, please, Anna,” Mr. Langley asked. Anna’s heart sank but she went out into the passage with him. It was cold there, so he wouldn’t keep her, and she hoped she could hold out. “Mrs. Langley is feeling badly because you said you couldn’t come to see her next Saturday,” he said very kindly. “If you are willing to spend the time, I wonder if we can’t rearrange matters. Why can’t I come over and mind the baby while you’re gone? He’s good with me, as you see, and with the watch----” He was like a boy in his eagerness. Anna paled. “I’m awfully sorry, Mr. Langley, only really that wouldn’t help out. You see ma would feel just the same. She’d love to have you come, of course, but she wouldn’t feel as if it was polite to leave you and--you see if she was right here all the while, there wouldn’t be any need of your coming way over from the parsonage. Now would there?” He smiled. “You remind me of what is called in logic a vicious circle,” he said. But he became serious at once.