Itwassomuchmoreregularandnaturallikethat，and\"her\"babyinvestedwithhisproperdignity。Shewentdownstairstogeta\"cupo’tea，\"thinking:’Apicturetheymake——thattheydo，blesshislittleheart;andhisprettylittlemother——nomorethanachild，allsaidanddone。’
Noelhadbeenstandingtheresomeminutesinthefailinglight，absorbedinthefaceofthesleepingbaby，when，raisinghereyes，shesawinamirrortherefectionofherfather’sdarkfigurebythedoor。Shecouldhearhimbreathingasiftheascentofthestairshadtiredhim;andmovingtotheheadofthecot，sherestedherhandonit，andturnedherfacetowardshim。Hecameupandstoodbesideher，lookingsilentlydownatthebaby。ShesawhimmakethesignoftheCrossaboveit，andthemovementofhislipsinprayer。Loveforherfather，andrebellionagainstthisintercessionforherperfectbabyfoughtsohardinthegirl’sheartthatshefeltsuffocated，andgladofthedark，sothathecouldnotseehereyes。
Thenhetookherhandandputittohislips，butstillwithoutaword;andforthelifeofhershecouldnotspeakeither。Insilence，hekissedherforehead;andtheremountedinNoelasuddenpassionoflongingtoshowhimherprideandloveforherbaby。Sheputherfingerdownandtouchedoneofhishands。Thetinysleepingfingersuncurledand，likesomelittleseaanemone，clutchedroundit。Sheheardherfatherdrawhisbreathin;sawhimturnawayquickly，silently，andgoout。Andshestayed，hardlybreathing，withthehandofherbabysqueezingherfinger。
II
1