Two Little Women

Excerpt: ... sprang up and began a frolicking song and dance intended to divert the baby\'s attention. But for a few moments only Gladys was pleased Pg 154 with this entertainment. With the persistency of her kind, she returned again and again to the subject of her greatly desired water trip. Still being denied, she set up a first class crying act. It scarcely seemed possible that so many tears could come from those two blue eyes! She didn\'t scream or howl, but she cried desperately, continuously, and with heartbroken sobs until the two caretakers were filled with consternation. No effort to divert her was successful. In no game or play would she show any interest, and as the little face grew red from the continued sobbing, Dotty exclaimed, "That child will have a fit, if she doesn\'t get what she wants! Now look here, Doll; we won\'t go in a boat, but let\'s put the baby in the canoe and just pull her back and forth gently by the rope. It\'s tied fast to the post." Dolly looked doubtful, but as the baby sensed Dotty\'s words a heavenly smile broke over her face and she exclaimed, "Ess, ess! Daddy go saily-bye all aloney!" Dolly still hesitated, but Dotty picked up the eager child and plumped her down in the middle of the canoe, which was partly drawn up on the shelving beach. A little push set it afloat and grasping the rope firmly, Dotty gently pushed and pulled the Pg 155 canoe back and forth, while the baby squealed with delight. "That can\'t do any harm," said Dotty, pleased with the success of her scheme, and Dolly agreed that Gladys was safe enough as long as she sat still. "Even if she should spill out, she\'d only get wet," said Dotty; "the water isn\'t six inches deep where she is. And you will sit still, won\'t you, baby?" "Ess, Daddy sit still," and the baby folded her hands and sat motionless in the canoe, only swaying slightly with the motion as Dotty slowly pulled her in shore and then let her drift back again. "It\'s like a new-fashioned cradle," said...