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 Polly , stretching her arms . But , no : down sat the shadow , and began to sew , making her needle fly like a real little seamstress . `` Oh , dear ! '' groaned Polly . `` I promised to hem those handkerchiefs for Ned , and so I must ; but I do think handkerchiefs are the most pokey things in the world to sew . I dare say you think you can sew faster than I can . Just wait a bit , and see what I can do , miss , '' she said to the shadow .
It took some time to find her thimble and needles and spools , for XXXXX was n't a very neat little girl ; but she got settled at last , and stitched away as if bent on beating her dumb friend .
Baby Ned Polly Shadow arms babies blackbird minute pin seamstress