"She's a bad naughty girl--mamma said so, she did; and she shan't kiss our baby." The nurse reddened in her turn.

She knew what he must have heard; but it was awkward to bring it out, standing face to face with the elegant young lady.
"Children pick up such notions, ma'am," said she at last, apologetically, to Ruth, who stood, white and still, with a new idea running through her mind.
"It's no notion; it's true, nurse; and I heard you say it yourself.
Go away, naughty woman!" said the boy, in infantile vehemence of passion to Ruth.
To the nurse's infinite relief, Ruth turned away, humbly and meekly, with bent head, and slow, uncertain steps.

But as she turned, she saw the mild sad face of the deformed gentleman, who was sitting at the open window above the shop; he looked sadder and graver than ever; and his eyes met her glance with an expression of deep sorrow.

And so, condemned alike by youth and age, she stole with timid step into the house.

Mr Bellingham was awaiting her coming in the sitting-room.
The glorious day restored all his buoyancy of spirits.