On arriving at Woodside Cottage Miss Merlin was met by Sally, the colored maid of all work, and shown immediately into a neat bedroom on the ground floor, where she found Hannah sitting in state in her resting-chair beside her bed, and contemplating with maternal satisfaction the infant prodigies that lay in a cradle at her feet.

“Do not attempt to rise!  I am so glad to see you looking so well, Mrs. Gray!  I am Miss Merlin,” was Claudia’s frank greeting, as she approached Hannah, and held out her hand.

“Thank you, miss; you are very good to come; and I am glad to see you,” said the proud mother, heartily shaking the hand offered by the visitor.

“I wish you much joy of your fine children, Mrs. Gray.”

“Thank you very much, miss.  Pray sit down.  Sally, hand a chair.”

The maid of all work brought one, which Claudia took, saying: 

“Now let me see the twins.”

Hannah stooped and raised the white dimity coverlet, and proudly displayed her treasures—­two fat, round, red-faced babies, calmly sleeping side by side.

What woman or girl ever looked upon sleeping infancy without pleasure?  Claudia’s face brightened into beaming smiles as she contemplated these children, and exclaimed: 

“They are beauties!  I want you to let me help to dress them up fine, Mrs. Gray!  I have no little brothers and sisters, nor nephews and nieces; and I should like so much to have a part property in these!”

“You are too good, Miss Merlin.”

“I am not good at all.  I like to have my own way.  I should like to pet and dress these babies.  I declare, for the want of a little brother or sister to pet, I could find it in my heart to dress a doll!  See, now, what I have brought for these babies!  Let the basket down, Mattie, and take the things out.”

Miss Merlin’s maid obeyed, and displayed to the astonished eyes of Hannah yards of cambric, muslin, and lawn, rolls of lace, ribbon, and beads, and lots of other finery.

Hannah’s eyes sparkled.  That good woman had never been covetous for herself, but for those children she could become so.  She had too much surly pride to accept favors for herself, but for those children she could do so; not, however, without some becoming hesitation and reluctance.

“It is too much, Miss Merlin.  All these articles are much too costly for me to accept, or for the children to wear,” she began.

But Claudia silenced her with: 

“Nonsense!  I know very well that you do not in your heart think that there is anything on earth too fine for those babies to wear.  And as for their being costly, that is my business.  Mattie, lay these things on Mrs. Gray’s bureau.”

Again Mattie obeyed her mistress, and then set the empty basket down on the floor.

“Now, Mattie, the other basket.”

Mattie brought it.

“Mrs. Gray, these wines, cordials, and jellies are all of domestic manufacture—­Katie’s own make; and she declares them to be the best possible supports for invalids in your condition,” said Miss Merlin, uncovering the second basket.