Why , what 's that ? '' And Polly stopped fretting to listen ; for she seemed to hear the sound of singing , -- so sweet , and yet so very faint she could catch no words , and only make out a cheerful little tune . `` Do you hear any one singing , mamma ? '' she asked . `` No : I wish I did . '' And mamma sighed ; for baby was poorly , piles of sewing lay waiting for her , Biddy was turning things topsy-turvy in the kitchen for want of a word from the mistress , and Polly was looking sullen . The little girl did n't say any more , but worked quietly and watched the shadow , feeling sure the faint song came from it . Presently she began to hum the tune she caught by snatches ; and , before she knew it , she was singing away like a blackbird . Baby stopped crying , and mamma said , smiling : `` Now I hear somebody singing , and it 's the music I like best in the world . '' That pleased Polly ; but , a minute after , she stopped smiling , for the shadow went and took baby , or seemed to , and Polly really did . Now , baby was heavy , and cross with its teeth ; and Polly did n't feel like tending it one bit . Mamma hurried away to the kitchen ; and Polly walked up and down the room with poor baby hanging over her arm , crying dismally , with a pin in its back , a wet bib under its chin , and nothing cold and hard to bite with its hot , aching gums , where the little teeth were trying to come through . `` Do stop , you naughty , fretty baby . I 'm tired of your screaming , and it 's high time you went to sleep . Bless me ! what 's Miss Shadow doing with her baby ? '' said Polly . Miss Shadow took out the big pin and laid it away , put on a dry bib , and gave her baby a nice ivory ring to bite ; then began to dance up and down the room , till the shadowy baby clapped its hands and kicked delightedly . Polly laughed , and did the same , feeling sorry she had been so pettish . Presently both babies grew quiet , went to sleep , and were laid in the cradle .
`` Now , I hope we shall rest a little , '' said XXXXX , stretching her arms .
Baby Biddy Polly Shadow arm baby blackbird minute singing snatches