“Oh! Louis, many happy returns. I haven't got a present for you, because I hadn't money enough.”
“Never mind,” said Louis; “I would rather have your love and kisses than any present.”
“And I will give you many, many kisses,” cried the little girl, fulfilling her promise in good earnest.
“My love and a kiss,” said her brother; “that's what Bessie always sends at the end of her letters: isn't it, Bessie, I send you my love and a kiss?”
“Well, I mean it,” said Bessie, “and you needn't laugh. I wonder what we shall do to-day—dear me—I think, though, there's a little lighter bit of sky over the oak.”
“Let me see—where are my spectacles?” said Frank.
“Not much hope, I fear,” said Sir George's hearty voice behind her. “Not much hope, Bessie. What an array of long faces. How do you do? Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, I hope I see you in health and spirits. A happy birthday, and many of them to you, my boy; the rain does not appear to have damped you so much as some of your play-fellows—well, Miss Bessie?”
“Grandpapa, grandpapa! what shall we do? you must find some pleasure for us,” cried Bessie, clinging round her grandfather's knees, and looking up very beseechingly in the kind face so far above her.
“Ah, well—we'll see, we'll see—now let me go to breakfast; when that important business is dispatched, and grandmamma makes her appearance, we will find something to do.”
Fortified with this promise, an excellent breakfast was eaten by the martyrs to disappointment, and then, after some consultation, it was decided that the band should be in attendance in the hall, and a messenger should be sent forthwith to command the attendance of the school-children at a banquet in the same place, and Lady Vernon was of opinion that with charades, a magic lantern, bagatelle, tivoli, and dolls, a very merry morning might be spent. The young people then dispersed in search of their own peculiar amusements. Some of the young men went into the billiard-room, and a few chess parties were formed. Some began to act charades for the edification of such among the elders as would choose to make an audience. A still larger party adjourned to the school-room to play at houses with their dolls, and two tables were soon spread with ground plans of three magnificent establishments for paper ladies and gentlemen, by three young ladies between the ages of twelve and eight, assisted by Mr. Frank Digby.