She thought of little Evelyn asleep in the next room.
She opened the connecting door softly and stole across to the baby's little bed.

It was too small, or she would have crept in beside her.
Maria hesitated a moment, then she slid her arms gently under the little, soft, warm body, and gathered the child up in her arms.

She was quite heavy.

At another time Maria, who had slender arms, could scarcely have carried her.

Now she bore her with entire ease into her own room and laid her in her own bed.