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 The face that met Jamie’s was a laughing face.

“Don’t bother about that,” Mrs. Meredith said. “I’m willing to give a few days’ time for a lovely baby named Jamie. It will be like having my baby over again. You needn’t worry in the least. Have you clothes for him?”

Jamie pointed to the suitcase.

“Enough for two or three babies, I’d judge.”

To prove his statement, Jamie opened the case. Across the baby a pair of interested eyes explored its contents.

“Why, those are lovely things, exquisitely made! I almost hate to use them. I could use some of Jimmy’s things just at first when there is so much oiling, and a tiny baby is rather a mussy proposition.”

“I imagine those things will be more carefully handled in your hands than at the hospital or even by Margaret Cameron,” said Jamie. “Go ahead and use them. When they are gone little Jamie shall have some more.”

“That’s fine!” said Mrs. Meredith. “That’s fine! You will have something of your very own to work for now.”

Jamie felt something of a hypocrite as he assented to this proposition, but in the presence of the little Scout that was not the time for dissent, so he let the statement go and closed the suitcase, and when the lady arose he escorted her to the car. There they met a difficulty.

“I can’t drive and hold the baby, too,” said Mrs. Meredith.

The little Scout made a clean leap to the front seat and held eager arms.