The pile of hands dispersed, and Bella and Mrs. Boffin took a good long hug of one another: to the apparent peril of the inexhaustible baby, lying staring in Bella’s lap.

“But is the story done?” said Bella, pondering. “Is there no more of it?”

“What more of it should there be, deary?” returned Mrs. Boffin, full of glee.

“Are you sure you have left nothing out of it?” asked Bella.

“I don’t think I have,” said Mrs. Boffin, archly.