As the girl left the room Mellen said:
"How she loves you! Everybody does love you, Elsie."
"They must," she answered; "I should die if I were not petted. Oh, Grant, it's so nice here; don't you like it?"
"Yes, indeed; you make the old room bright again."
Her spirits had risen, she was really quite like her old self, and that without effort or pretence.
Then the tea was brought in, and she insisted on at least tasting everything on the table. Clo was well acquainted with her dainty ways, and the varieties of preserves and jellies she had brought out from her stores was marvellous.
Elsie fed Tom with bits of toast, made him eat everything he did not want, and beg for all that he did, and was so bright and peaceful that Mellen himself grew quiet from her influence.