"But you need not be so heroic, Bessie," returned Elsie; "Tom always allowed me to laugh at him as much as I pleased; you know I don't mean to be ill-natured."
"No one would ever suspect you of that, Birdie," added Mellen, with a fond glance.
Elizabeth said nothing more, and the conversation "We shall have the house crowded with visitors, I suppose," Elsie said; "Mary Harrington told me she should only give us one day for family affection—"
"I hope she won't come to stay any time just yet," said Elizabeth.
"I hope so, too," added Mellen; "I should like a little enjoyment of my home, if possible, for a week or two at least."
"But people will come," said Elsie; "you must expect it. They look for all sorts of invitations, and you must give them or mortally offend everybody."
Perhaps the idea of the gayety that would ensue was not unpleasant to Elsie, in spite of her joy at Mellen's return; it was quite natural at her age, and to her character, which drooped in solitude like a flower deprived of the sun.
"Oh," said Mellen, "we will give them as many dinners and parties as they like, provided they won't domicile themselves with us, Elizabeth."
"Yes; I don't mind that so much."
"Shall you take a house in town, Grant?" asked Elsie.