{{betlep091.png}}


Mr. Murchison stopped to consider a moment,
soberly.

"Bessie says that she has had a wonderful
time dressing that baby doll in the old baby
clothes, and Grandmother herself told me to
speak softly for fear I'd waken 'Willie.' The
doll was in her bed! She was very happy and
sent her love to Laura--"

Here Mr. Murchison broke off and turned
away quickly.

Tears came into Lucia's eyes, but she whisked
them away with the little lace handkerchief
which lay by her on the desk to which they had
drawn their chairs. "Poor Uncle! He couldn't
have said another word without his voice
shaking, I know. But he wanted to tell me. Oh,
Betty, isn't life hard sometimes! I can't study I
Come over here on the _chaise_longue_ and let me
tell you things. I've wanted to for a long time."



 [[91]]