Bell was bold enough to ask her if she felt she was strong enough, and then gave him up reluctantly. “I’ve a way with ’em same’s ever,” she declared defiantly. “I brought up my sister’s babies till her man married again, and when I first went into service it was as a nurse.” She would have gone on, but suddenly her feelings overcame her and she turned and fled. * * * * * On her way home, Anna prudently decided to say nothing of the marvel of the baby’s talking until after he should have gone to sleep. After that had happened she related the story dramatically to the assembled family. They were all greatly excited, but the boys were wild with anticipation and could scarcely wait until morning. Though it was Sunday and dark, they were up and dressed at six o’clock and had a long, weary wait before the hero made his appearance. But the instant Joe, Junior, finished his porridge, they fetched his picture book. It was already open at L and Anna was as much delighted as they when he promptly said Baa! to the lamb. “Ask him something else, quick!” cried Freddy, as if there were not a moment to lose. “O Freddy, that’s no fair. He’s only a baby. You mustn’t expect too much of him,” cautioned Anna. “No, indeed, Fred Miller, don’t you dare turn that page,” added the elder brother sternly. “You’ll get him mixed up and scared and then he’ll never say baa again. Don’t you dare. We’ll practise him a while on this now.” Freddy snatched the book, opened it at random in his haste, and before Frank could interfere demanded of the baby what _that_ might be. The choice was unfortunate, _that_ being an hippopotamus with a gaping red mouth. “Moo moo!” cried the baby almost dramatically, and the boys shouted for joy. Then alike unmindful of threats and warnings, they went through the book, and the astonishing baby had an answer for every question. He wasn’t always right, but he only appeared the more clever. He said _bow-wow_ for the camel but he gave a really creditable roar for the cinnamon bear. In truth, Joe, Junior, seemed to have come into his own. Not only did Anna and the boys hang over him spell-bound and Seth Miller seem glued to the spot, but Mrs. Miller left her work not only patiently but eagerly whenever the boys summoned her, and once she bent over the baby and kissed him. Not long after the others had gone to service, Mrs. Lorraine came in. She made Anna lie down on the sofa and sat beside her. “I understand the baby has begun to talk,” she observed. “O Mrs. Lorraine! Already? Who told you?” asked the girl eagerly. “Your father and mother and Frank each told me separately, and Frank and Freddy together. And Miss Penny told me last evening. Mr. Langley told someone and Mr. Phelps heard it at the post office.” “I’m glad ma told you,” Anna remarked. “She’s beginning to take to him. She kissed him this morning.”