"Oh, you philanthropist! And meantime she has run off with your baby!"
"The baby carriage is gone, Mrs. Farnsworth," said Winnie, appearing suddenly. "So I expect Miss Thorpe took baby in that."
"Yes, probably," said Patty, despairingly. "Oh, Elise, this suspense is driving me crazy! If I knew that Zaly had her,--and if I knew nothing had happened, I'd feel _so_ relieved. But suppose she did break Fleurette's little arm or leg--"
"Or back!" put in Elise; "you must _not_ let her pitch the baby around! It's criminal!"
"But you don't know how deft she is. Why, she's almost a contortionist herself. She can turn handsprings and--"
"I don't care if she's the greatest acrobat the world ever saw! There's _always_ chance of an accident! And with a baby, you _never_ know. Suppose Fleurette squirmed out of her grasp, just as she--"
"Oh, hush! Elise, you drive me distracted! It _can't_ be anything like that!"
"Yes, it can! I hope it isn't, but do let this be a lesson to you, Patty! Don't ever allow that girl to see the baby again,--much less touch her! I think you and Bill must have taken leave of your senses to give her such freedom! Why, you don't deserve to have that heavenly baby!"
"That's so, Elise, I don't!" and Patty broke into a flood of tears. "My little flower! My precious own baby! How could I ever let Azalea touch her? But, Elise, Zaly loves her as much as we do."
"That may be,--and of course, she wouldn't harm the child wilfully. But, as I said, accidents will happen,--and if it's Bill's fault, why,--of course, it's his own child,--and that's different. But Azalea has no business to take chances with other people's children."
"I know it, and if she only brings her back this time in safety,--I'll never let her see Fleurette alone again!"
All that afternoon Patty suffered agonies of suspense. Now she would cry uncontrollably,--and again, she would sit, still and dry-eyed, waiting for some sound of Azalea's arrival.
But no rolling wheels of the baby coach greeted her ears, nor any little crowing notes of glee from her baby's lips.
Several times she tried again to reach Farnsworth by telephone,--but always unsuccessfully.
At last the long hours wore away, and Farnsworth came home.