Page:Leah Reed--Brenda's summer at Rockley.djvu/357

Rh you could n’t tell which was which if you’d see them together,” interposed Mrs. Moriarty.

“But they ain’t alike in any other way except in looks,” said Nellie, loyally. “Miguel—well, he’s my husband’s brother, so I won’t say much. But—”

“Where is Miguel now?” asked Miss South.

“Oh, we don’t know; but he sold out everything last spring, and they say he’s gone away off to Brazil, or some  place like away off. He took everything he could lay his hands on, and we are the poorer for him. Bad luck to him!”

“Hush! hush! Nellie,” cried the good-natured Mrs. Moriarty. “It’s good they ain’t the same inside that they are outside, for they ’re twins. Miss. Though there be some, I ’ve heard, that don’t think Miguel’s so very  bad, only smart,—very smart.”

“Too smart!” said Mrs. Silva, as Brenda, a little embarrassed by what had happened, rose to go.

“You must keep the photographs,” she said, as she turned to bid good-bye to Mrs. Silva. “We were very sorry to hear about your little boy.”

“Come, see the baby!” cried Miss South, who had joined Amy and Julia near the crib. Just then the baby gave a gurgling laugh; and when the grandmother realized that he was awake, she went over to the crib too, and  as the others made way for her, she seized the little creature in her arms, and held him up for the admiration of  them all.

At sight of the baby poor Mrs. Silva’s face began to