“But Anna is not lost to you, dear uncle. She is only lost to sight, and that only for a little while. Think, dear uncle, in the marriage of Anna and Dick you have not lost a daughter, but gained a son.”
“That is true, my dear.”
“Think how devoted they are to you. They are as loyal to you as subjects to a sovereign.”
“I know—I know.”
“They will never leave you unless you send them away.”
“I know; I see what a morbid old fellow I have been.”
“No, no, not so, I think. Surely it is very natural that you should have such feelings; but it is also very desirable that you should rally from them.”
“And I will, my dear, I will.”
Little Leonard, fatigued by his former exertions, and perhaps also a little awed by the solemnity of the discourse, had remained still for at least three minutes. But now he recommenced to prance and dance and express his impatience in every possible way that a baby of six months old could.
“You are almost too much for my stiff old arms, little fellow!” smiled the General, as he supported the leaping baby.