"You were fine, my son.

And I never could have lived through to-day without you, either." "Dear old Kingsy-wingsy!" said Midget, looking at him with shining eyes.
And then,--for it was their long-established custom,--she tweaked his Windsor scarf untied.
As this was a mark of deep affection, King only grinned at her and retied it, with an ease and grace born of long practice.
"Well, Mehitabel," said Cousin Jack, "I always said you were a child who could do the most unexpected things.

Here you've been and turned this whole house upside down and had us all nearly crazy,--and here you are back again as smiling as a basket of chips.

And yet you did nothing for which any one could blame you!" "Indeed they _can't_ blame her!" spoke up Mrs.Maynard; "the child thought I was talking to Mrs.Corey, instead of reading my part in the play.

Marjorie sha'n't be blamed a bit!" "That's just what I said," repeated Cousin Jack, smiling at the mother's quick defense of her child; "why, if anybody told me I was a,--what do you call it ?--a findling,--I'd run away, too!" "Don't run away," said Cousin Ethel, laughing.