"Because we can't have a goat look after a baby long enough for you to take a nap," Niabheara said, teasing. "It would try to eat all the cradle-clothes while you slept."

Miranda smiled, tiredly. "We could have a nanny and a nanny goat?" she suggested. "Or a nanny for the nanny goat?"

"A single nanny would be altogether more tidy," she said. "And would probably smell better." She leaned to kiss the baby's forehead, then propped up on her toes to kiss Miranda on the cheek.

"Good neighbor," Miranda replied. "I mean it. And tell my brother the same."

"I'll tell him 'thank you,'" she said, mischievously, as she stepped toward the door. "I think all the good-neighboring is giving him an identity crisis."

She blew Miranda a kiss, then went out.