"Your Aunt has not even read it yet. After dinner my humble little children can come to me in the drawing-room, and then I hope to give them a gracious answer."
With this they had to be content, for not a word more would Mrs. Graham say on the subject until after dinner. Lucy was carried off for an hour's sleep; and Mama, seating herself on the sofa, drew Lena to her side, while Milly installed herself on the other side; then Mrs. Graham said—
"You are longing for an answer to your petition, I know, dears. First I must tell you that Auntie and I graciously assent to it."
"That means we are to go, Mama?" asked Milly.
"Thank you, thank you," exclaimed Lena; "I told you, Milly, if we coaxed them."
"No, Lena dear," interrupted her mother, "that was the very thing that nearly lost it to you. I could not promise when you asked me before, because I never like to break a promise, and I was not sure whether it would be safe for you three children to go alone."
"I could have told you it would," said Lena, reproachfully.
"But I preferred Aunt Mary's opinion," was her mother's answer, given with a smile.
"She thinks it safe, doesn't she, Mama?"
"Yes, but what I want to say to you now, is particularly to you, Lena. I saw my little girl thought I was very unkind in not consenting to her wishes at once, and now you think I have given leave because you begged and coaxed."