However, at that moment the stout woman she had seen
in the morning appeared at the open door with a little girl in each
hand, both in little round muslin caps, long white frocks, and blue
sashes.
One went up readily to Aurelia and allowed herself to be kissed, and
lifted to a chair; the other clung to Dame Wheatfield, in spite of
coaxing entreaties. "Speak pretty, my dear; speak to the pretty lady.
Don't ye see how good your sister is? It won't do, miss," to Aurelia;
"she's daunted, is my pretty lamb. If I might just give her her
breakwist--for it is the last time I shall do it--then she might get
used to you before my good man comes for me."
Aurelia was only too glad to instal Dame Wheatfield in a chair with
her charge in her lap. The other child was feeding herself very
tidily and independently, and Aurelia asked her if she were the eldest.
"Yes," she said.
"And what shall I call you, my dear?"
"I'm Missy."
"No, Missy, me--me eldest," cried the other.
"Bless the poor children!" exclaimed Mrs. Wheatfield, laughing, "they
be both of 'em eldest, as one may say."
"They are twins, then?" said Aurelia.
"More than that--all three of them came together! I've heard tell of
such a thing once or twice, but never of all living and thriving.
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