Cecily set the table , and the Story Girl waited on it and washed all the dishes afterwards . But all the blushing honours fell to Felicity , who received so many compliments that her airs were quite unbearable for the rest of the week . She presided at the head of the table with as much grace and dignity as if she had been five times twelve years old , and seemed to know by instinct just who took sugar and who took it not . She was flushed with excitement and pleasure , and was so pretty that I could hardly eat for looking at her -- which is the highest compliment in a boy 's power to pay . The Story Girl , on the contrary , was under eclipse . She was pale and lustreless from her disturbed night and early rising ; and no opportunity offered to tell a melting tale . Nobody took any notice of her . It was Felicity 's day . After tea Mrs. Frewen and her sister wished to visit their father 's grave in the Carlisle churchyard . It appeared that everybody wanted to go with them ; but it was evident that somebody must stay home with Jimmy Patterson , who had just fallen sound asleep on the kitchen sofa . Dan finally volunteered to look after him . He had a new Henty book which he wanted to finish , and that , he said , was better fun than a walk to the graveyard . `` I think we 'll be back before he wakes , '' said Mrs. Patterson , `` and anyhow he is very good and wo n't be any trouble . Do n't let him go outside , though . He has a cold now . '' We went away , leaving Dan sitting on the door-sill reading his book , and Jimmy P. snoozing blissfully on the sofa . When we returned -- Felix and the girls and I were ahead of the others -- Dan was still sitting in precisely the same place and attitude ; but there was no Jimmy in sight . `` Dan , where 's the baby ? '' cried Felicity . Dan looked around .
His jaw fell XXXXX blank amazement .
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