Page:Further Chronicles of Avonlea (1920).djvu/110

82 that she had almost given up inveighing against Charlotte. Her conversation, instead of tending always to Jacob Wheeler now ran Camilla Janeward ; and this, folks thought, was an improvement.

One afternoon, Miss Rosetta, leaving Camilla Jane snugly sleeping in her cradle in the kitchen, had slipped down to the bottom of the garden to pick her currants. The house was hidden from her sight by the copse of cherry trees, but she had left the kitchen window open, so that she could hear the baby if it awakened and cried. Miss Rosetta sang happily as she picked her currants. For the first time since Charlotte had married Jacob Wheeler Miss Rosetta felt really happy — so happy that there was no room in her heart for bitterness. In fancy she looked forward to the coming years, and saw Camilla Jane growing up into girlhood, fair and lovable.

“She'll be a beauty,” reflected Miss Rosetta complacently. “Jane was a handsome girl. She shall always be dressed as nice as I can manage it, and I'll get her an organ, and have her take painting and music lessons. Parties, too! Ill give her a real coming-out party when she’s eighteen and the very prettiest dress that’s to be had. Dear me, I can hardly wait for her to grow up, though she’s sweet enough now to make one wish she could stay a baby forever.”