In the meantime, Mrs.Crow, assisted by the entire family, had stowed the infant, a six-weeks-old girl, into a warm bed, ministering to the best of her ability to its meagre but vociferous wants.

There was no more sleep in the Crow establishment that night.

The head of the house roused a half dozen neighbours from their beds to tell them of the astounding occurrence, with the perfectly natural result that one and all hurried over to see the baby and to hear the particulars.
Early next morning Tinkletown wagged with an excitement so violent that it threatened to end in a municipal convulsion.

Anderson Crow's home was besieged.

The snow in his front yard was packed to an icy consistency by the myriad of footprints that fell upon it; the interior of the house was "tracked" with mud and slush and three window panes were broken by the noses of curious but unwelcome spectators.