I scarcely regretted the ruin of the locket, I was so delighted to have her keep quiet; but, alas! the little wretch soon dropped it and began howling like ten thousand midnight cats.

I trotted her again--I tossed her--I laid her over my knees on her stomach--I said "Ssh--ssh--ssssh--sssssh!" all in vain.

Instead of ten minutes for refreshments it seemed to me that they gave ten hours.
In desperation I raised her and hung her over my shoulder, rising at the same time and walking up and down the aisle.

The howling ceased: but now the young ladies, after choking with suppressed laughter, finally broke into a scream of delight.

Something must be up! I took the baby down and looked over my shoulder--the little rip had opened her mouth and sent a stream of white, curdy milk down the back of my new overcoat.