behind the tall grandfather's clock, nor under Auntie's chiffonier. There was only one good hiding-place—the covered passage leading to the cellar; but the grand company could never have crawled in there.
It was all very strange! Why was she sitting on Granny's bed, and why were the others standing there staring, as if the grand company were in the bed? She glanced from one to the other, quite bewildered. Presently Aunt Lovisa bent down and moved the pillows a little. Then Selma saw that by her side lay a small oblong bundle, to which she attached no importance whatever. Granny had said that grand company had come, and grand company meant only one thing—far-come visitors who brought toys and big bags of candy for the children. That was the company she was looking for.
"Are they in there?" she asked, pointing toward the parlour. She listened for the sound of voices from the next room; seeing how pleased and elated the others were, her expectations rose high.
"Why, she's right there beside you." Granny lifted a corner of the oblong bundle and revealed two tiny hands and a little wizened face.
The little girl gave the swaddling a scornful glance then looked away. She had seen such before, and did not care for them. Her thoughts were on the company with the candy bags.
"See," said Aunt Lovisa, "this is a little sister who came to you last night, and you must be good to her."
