The Mountain Girl by Emma Payne Erskine Chapter 30 Page 29

forward with long, swinging steps toward a group who were bending over a rosy-cheeked girl, who was seated on the steps of the terrace with a child in her arms. She was comforting him and cuddling and petting him, and those around her were exclaiming as young girls will: “Isn’t he a dear!” — ”Oh, let me hold him a moment!” — ”There, he is going to cry again. No wonder, poor little chap!” — ”Oh, look at his curls — so cunning — give him to me.”

Seeing his mother, he put up his arms to her and smiled, while two tears rolled down his round baby cheeks.

“I found him in the pony carriage with Hetty Giles, and he was crying so — and such a darling! I just took him away — the love!” cried Laura.