? ? ? ? She was limp with horror; but stiffened herself to make a dart at me, and take it out of my arms. Then, she turned faint; and was so very ill that they were obliged to give her cherry brandy. I was solemnly interdicted by her, on her recovery, from touching my brother any more on any pretence whatever; and my poor mother, who, I could see, wished otherwise, meekly confirmed the interdict, by saying: 'No doubt you are right, my dear Jane.'
? ? ? ? On another occasion, when we three were together, this same dear baby - it was truly dear to me, for our mother's sake - was the innocent occasion of Miss Murdstone's going into a passion. My mother, who had been looking at its eyes as it lay upon her lap, said:
? ? ? ? 'Davy! come here!' and looked at mine.
? ? ? ? I saw Miss Murdstone lay her beads down.
? ? ? ? 'I declare,' said my mother, gently, 'they are exactly alike. I suppose they are mine. I think they are the colour of mine. But they are wonderfully alike.'
? ? ? ? 'What are you talking about, Clara?' said Miss Murdstone.
? ? ? ? 'My dear Jane,' faltered my mother, a little abashed by the harsh tone of this inquiry, 'I find that the baby's eyes and Davy's are exactly alike.'
? ? ? ? 'Clara!' said Miss Murdstone, rising angrily, 'you are a positive fool sometimes.
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