Corinne remained on the bench about a minute after her father had left her, and then, contrary to her usual custom, she determined to leave the place where she had been put.  Turning over on her stomach, after the manner of babies, she lowered her feet to the ground.  Having obtained a foothold, she turned herself about and proceeded, with sturdy steps, to a baby-carriage near by which had attracted her attention.  This carriage, which was unattended, contained a baby, somewhat smaller and younger than Corinne, who sat up and gazed with youthful interest at the visitor who stood by the side of her vehicle.  Corinne examined, with a critical eye, the carriage and its occupant.  She looked at the soft pillow at the baby’s back, and regarded with admiration the afghan crocheted in gay colors which was spread over its lap, and the spacious gig-top which shielded it from the sun.  She stooped down and looked at the wheels, and stood up and gazed at the blue eyes and canary hair of the little occupant.  Then, in quiet but decided tones, Corinne said:—­

“Dit out!”

The other baby looked at her, but made no movement to obey.  After waiting a few moments, an expression of stern severity spreading itself the while over her countenance, Corinne reached over and put her arms around the fair-haired child.  Then, with all her weight and strength, she threw herself backward and downward.  The other baby, being light, was thus drawn bodily out of its carriage, and Corinne sat heavily upon the ground, her new acquaintance sprawling in her lap.  Notwithstanding that she bore the brunt of the fall upon the gravel, Corinne uttered no cry; but, disengaging herself from her encumbrance, she rose to her feet.  The other baby imitated her, and Corinne, taking her by the hand, led her to the bench where she herself had been left.

“Dit up!” said Corinne.

This, however, the other baby was unable to do; but she stood quite still, evidently greatly interested in the proceedings.  Corinne left her and walked to the little carriage, into which she proceeded to climb.  After some extraordinary exertions, during which her fat legs were frequently thrust through the spokes of the wheels and ruthlessly drawn out again, she tumbled in.  Arranging herself as comfortably as she knew how, she drew the gay afghan over her, leaned back upon the soft pillow, gazed up at the sheltering gig-top, and resigned herself to luxurious bliss.  At this supreme moment, the nurse who had had charge of the carriage and its occupant came hurrying around a corner of the path.  She had been taking leave of some of her nurse-maid friends, and had stayed longer than she had intended.  It was necessary for her to take a suitable leave of these ladies, for that night she was going on a journey.  She had been told to take the baby out for an airing, and to bring it back early.  Now, to her surprise, the afternoon had nearly gone, and hurrying to the little carriage she seized the handle at the back and rapidly pushed it home, without stopping to look beneath the overhanging gig-top, or at the green bench, with which her somewhat worried soul had no concern.  If anything could add to Corinne’s ecstatic delight, it was this charming motion.  Closing her eyes contentedly, she dropped asleep.