"Would you care to hold her?"
William blanched. "It is a she?"
Mrs. Nichols arched an admonishing eyebrow but nodded. She held the child out for Tamara to take but the baby began to squall.
"Poor thing. I don't think I'd better," Tamara said. William could tell that his sister was not frightened of the baby; that her reluctance stemmed from her compassion. The child did not want to be parted from Mrs. Nichols, and Tamara did not want to distress the hideous little beast any further.
Mrs. Nichols moved toward William, who tried to indicate with raised hands that he was definitely not interested in the experience. She thrust the baby into his arms regardless of his gesticulations. He began to protest, tried to return the changeling to its caretaker, but then he paused and glanced down at the ugly, delicate creature in his arms. The child had calmed down the instant it was placed into his arms, and now began to gently hum in a strange keening fashion.
