Alone with the Baby.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2, 10 July 1912, Page 56

Alone with the Baby.

IT was the first time Mrs. Youngwife had been able to bring herself up to enough confidence in Youngwife to leave the baby in his charge while she went out to a concert. The fact that Youngwife had declared that he could “ take care of the kid all Tight” did not give her unwavering confidence in his ability to do so, and she said, while giving the finishing touches to her toilet: “ Remember, dear, that if he should awaken, you musn’t take him up at once, but step softly to his crib, and try to soothe him to sleep. Don't rock the crib only the least little bit, for the best authorities, say that a child should not be rocked. Don’t give him bottle unless it is really necessary, and remember what I told you about heating st to just the right temperature. I have left the alcohol lamp and the thermometer and

everything all ready. And if you have to take him up, warm his little blanket before you put it around him. It might chill him to put it on him cold, even if it is of wool. And don’t jump him up and down trying to get him quiet if he cries after you take him up, and don’t take him into another room where the temperature may be lower than it is in this room, nor —I don’t care if your mother did rear seven healthy children without a thermometer of any kind, in the house. Babies are reared scientifically in these days, and—if he should get •to breathing heavily you must telephone for mothers, and she will call at the hall for me. lon know that croup always begins with heavy breathing, and sister Helens children have both had croup this Winter. When I think of it, 1 have a good mind not to go to the concert at all, but it is so long since—oh, it is all

well enough lor j-m to peob-<poa3i at the idea of the baby net being safe with you, but no one can take a mother’s place when a child is ill, and I hat e known you to drop off asleep in your chair and sleep so soundly that a pair of twins screaming at the top of their lungs wouldn’t arouse you. But you have promised me faithfully that you will not do that this evening. If I thought you would I simply-—hadn’t you better make yourself some coffee that will keep you awake’”

Youngwife snickered, and took refuge in the masculine “Nonsense!”

“ That’s what men "always say when they know that their wives are right, and they can’t dispute it. If you want me to I will run down and make some coffee before I go. And if anyone comes

you tell them that yon are alone wlttt the baby, and they’d better come som» other time. If three or four of your chums should come in here, and you got to playing poker, you would forget that you ever had a baby of your own, and he might roll out of the bed and cripple

fihiilf for life. And if yea fostf happen to want to go wto the roo* whera ho is asleep you’d better take off your shoes or slip in on your hands *nd knees, for ye« koow how be awakeas >4. the least little noise, and it takes him so long to go to sleep again once he is fully awake. If he should begin to breathe as if he were all choked up, run in as cprick as you ean and get Mrs. Naylor. Site said, she would be at home all evening, and would run in at any minute if you needed her. She would know just what 4.0 do, for she has had five of her own. She was so good and thoughtful the day I thought ne ww going to have a spasm, and he didn’t have it. When I think of that awful day I feel as if I’d better not go to tne concert after all. Remember that if there is the remotest suggestion _of his having a spasm you are to run for Mrs. Naylor, and then ’phone for mother and me—remember now!”

Perhaps he remembered, but it is certain that he did not foiget, three minutes after his wife had left the house, ta “call up” a crony, and say:

“Hi, there! Bay, can’t you get hold of a couple of the boys, and eome around here and let’s see what we can do with a game of poker? Wife’s out until 10.30 at least, and the kid is sleeping like the dead. He won’t stir, and if he does yon can sing and trot him to sleep. Hike around here as soon as you can! Savvy! All right! I’ll look for you!”