Page:The New-Year's Bargain (1884).djvu/52

 on a chair by the table where there was a milk-pan. She had to tip it with her little hands, and a great deal spilled on the floor and a great deal on her apron, but some went in the cup. She began to cry at first; then she said, 'Mamie didn't mean to,' and brightened up again. And she warmed the milk and fed that baby like a woman," cried March, giving his knee a great slap. "I never did! Baby ate it all, and went to sleep again. Tot drank some too, but not much. Wanted to save it for the baby, I guess.

"It was a very cold day. I kept in a long time; but at last I had to howl or I should have burst. Tot got frightened. She said her little prayers, and hid her head under the pillow; but when the other cried, she stopped, and gave him some milk, and sang, 'Hush by, Budda,' till he went off again. I tell you what," said March, "I did feel sorry for that child.

"There was only one stick of wood left, and that was a big one. Tot couldn't move it. Pussy got on the table, and lapped up all the milk in