She gave a slight nod. "Perhaps I can..." Iris looked cautiously hopeful. She then said very softly, "Perhaps your family can count on me as a friend by the time the baby is old enough to eat what we do. I would not mind seeing her every now and then after I go. It would please me greatly to see how well she is doing. She's such a precious child and a joy." And she meant every word. What she really wanted was for HIM to be her friend, but directing her friendship solely on him and not focusing on the family as a whole would be improper, and that wouldn't do. Of course, the other unsaid thing left unsaid was that she loved Emma. That was a secret she would keep to herself for the time being.