Miss Louise laughed.

“Very well,” said she; “you may give the money to ‘Mr. Colonel,’ and I’ve no doubt you can persuade him to marry any one you please.”

Dotty smiled with entire satisfaction, but Prudy looked inquiringly into her auntie’s face, not believing it possible that Colonel Allen would really change his mind for two dollars and a half.

The children went wild over the sleeping baby, Philip Gray.

“He’s a brother, isn’t he?” said Dotty.  “I wish he was mine.  I haven’t any but Zip.  I’d take my kitty out of the carriage, and put in this brother, and give him all my sugar things.”

“Well,” said Dr. Gray, with a flicker of fun in his eyes, “the baby is not of the least use to me, and if you like him, my dear—­”

Dotty danced about the cradle.

“He’s nicer than a squir’l catched in a cage.  O, he is!”

“That’s just as people may fancy,” said Dr. Gray.  “Now I think, for my part, a squirrel would be less trouble, for he could get his own living.”

Dotty peeped into the doctor’s face with her bright eyes, to make sure he really liked squirrels better than babies.

“But,” continued he, very gravely, “it may be his mother might object to my giving him away.  I don’t know why it is, but she seems to value him very highly.  She would expect some money for him, I think.  How much are you willing to pay?”

Dotty reflected.  She possessed several dollies, a new tea-set, a box of picture-books, and a red morocco ball.  But what would Dr. Gray care for these, or her various other toys?  All her money was contained in her portemonnaie, the money which she had meant should put a stop to her aunt Madge’s dreadful marriage.  Should she save her auntie, and give up the baby?  Or should she buy the baby, and leave her auntie to her fate?

The struggle in her mind was a severe one, but it did not last long.

“O,” thought she, looking at the little sleeper in the cradle, “I’d rather have him than aunt Madge; for he’ll stay to our house, and sleep in my crib.”

“How now?” said Dr. Gray, pinching Dotty’s cheek; “made up your mind?”

“Yes, sir,” replied the child, with her finger in her mouth; “I’m goin’ to buy him.  I mean, I’m goin’ to if I can get him for two dollars and a half.”

“A generous sum,” laughed the doctor.  “Well said.  Now, the next thing is, to obtain his mother’s consent.”

This was very easily done, for Mrs. Gray, who was not strong, and had only a young girl in the kitchen, declared that, dearly as she loved the baby, she found him a deal of trouble.

Dotty’s face was radiant; but Prudy, who understood that the whole conversation was merely a playful one, looked down upon her younger sister with a sage smile.

“Don’t you think,” whispered Dotty, clutching her auntie by the dress, “don’t you think we’d better be going?”

“Why, dear, are you tired of your brother so soon?”