"Why isn't she here?"
"We couldn't agree," said the veracious Mr. Barrett. "She was very
difficult; so I left the children with her and----"
"Chil----" said Mrs. Prentice, and paused, unable to complete the word.
"Five," said Mr. Barrett, in tones of resignation. "It was rather a
wrench, parting with them, especially the baby. He got his first tooth
the day I left."
The information fell on deaf ears. Mrs. Prentice, for once in her life
thoroughly at a loss, sat trying to collect her scattered faculties. She
had come out prepared for a hard job, but not an impossible one. All
things considered, she took her defeat with admirable composure.
"I have no doubt it is much the best thing for the children to remain
with their mother," she said, rising.
"Much the best," agreed Mr. Barrett. "Whatever she is like," continued
the old lady. "Are you ready, Louisa?"
Mr. Barrett followed them to the door, and then, returning to the room,
watched, with glad eyes, their progress up the street.
"Wonder whether she'll keep it to herself?" he muttered.
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