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 “Ah, you only say that to please me.”

“I give you my word, I don’t say it for that. And then just look at the things it has on! These are common baby-things! Even in gentlemen’s houses they have no better. These are beautiful patterns in the little cap and jacket. This niece of yours must be very clever at making such things.”

“Oh, they are not from her; it’s all the doing of the reverend father. The baby had only some old rags or things, that had been worn by my niece’s former babies. I could not help buying a few new things for the poor little worm. What could I do? I had left my wages for several years in the reverend father’s hands. The day before yesterday he went to town after Mass; I asked him to buy a few things for Pepíc̓ek, and you know yourself how it is when a man goes into a shop to buy anything; they press the best and dearest things at him, just to do a good stroke of business, and to screw a lot of money out of him.”

“He must have spent a great deal upon them.”

“You may be sure of that.”

“And is there nothing the matter with the child?”

“Nothing whatever; he seems as healthy as he can be. But if we should want you”

“Oh, send for me any time it is necessary—even a midnight.”

The nurse went her way, and a great weight fell from Naninka’s mind as soon as she got rid of her. When the nurse reported the result of her visit to the “Sisters” they all shook their heads at the description of the fine baby-things; and the nurse promised, the very first time she went to the town, to inquire expressly if the priest of Záluz̓í had bought any baby-linen there.