Page:A Study in Colour - Augusta Zelia Fraser.pdf/37

26 so much on deir teeth. Dis marning de silber come off, an' so I shall hab to begin again. It offul trouble, Missus, to make it stick on praperly," she added, mournfully.

The Missus, however, expressed such energetic and complete disapproval of this novel adornment, that Justina, after some hesitation, was finally convinced that this time her original ideas of self-beautification were not likely to be received with general success, and agreed to allow her strong white teeth to remain as nature made them for the future.

I have not hitherto made mention that the Missus possessed a baby. She also had a husband, but as his country's requirements generally compelled his absence, and he has nothing to do with their story, we need not trouble ourselves about him.

The baby was a personage, and commanded attention. He was a little boy of some six months old. An affectionate, placid infant, with a faint cloud of fair, fluffy hair on his round and otherwise bald head, with blue serious eyes, and the adorable little hands and feet that are the rightful heritage of all babies. It was chiefly on his account that