"The children stood perfectly still for a moment. They seemed to be struck dumb. Then Loulou exclaimed:
"'Why, mamma, we have come down on purpose to see Robinson Crusoe!! all dressed in fur, with his monkeys and parrots, and Man Friday. Where is he, mamma? where has he gone?' and they looked again in every corner of the room.
"How her mamma did laugh! and how Mr. Robinson did laugh! when they found that the children thought that Robinson Crusoe had come to see them; but Loulou and the rest of the dear little children were dreadfully disappointed. Wasn't that a pity?
"And now I have a great secret to tell you; I am so much better, and I want to see you s—o much, that I mean to return home in the steamship which leaves on Saturday. This is Thursday—you will get this long letter next Monday—and on Tuesday have ready at least a hundred kisses, and fifty squeezes for your loving
"Mamma."
THE RETURN.
"Oh!" screamed Bella, joyfully, "mamma coming home? Oh! oh! oh!" and she commenced to dance about the room, and laugh, and sing so many little songs, that Edith thought there must be a musical snuff-box inside of her; particularly as she stopped to give two funny little sneezes, and then went on again. She could hardly sit still a moment all the rest of the day; and she begged to be put to bed earlier than usual, so that the "next day might come faster."
Sure enough! the next day a carriage drove up to the door. It was raining, and Bella had to stay in the room for fear she would take cold. She fastened her face to the window, and trembling with eagerness, saw the coachman open the door. A gentleman got out—Bella's face looked as if somebody had thrown a pail of cold water in it—but, the next moment, the gentleman handed out her mamma, her very own mamma! and then in an ecstasy of delight, the little girl rushed to the door, and then it was worth more than all Barnum's Museum to see the meeting. I believe I can't tell it—I cannot write it well enough; but all you dear little children know how glad you are to see your kind mothers after they have been away from you; and you can feel this, much better than I can write it.