It was thought expedient also that Anna, whose home it would sometime be, should be taken into the counsels and accompany Dick in his visits of inspection to Hammond House. And whenever the weather permitted she went there with him.
Hammond House was not to be their permanent home, however. During the life of General Lyon, they were to live at Old Lyon Hall.
Three times a week, when the mail came into Saulsburg and the letters and papers were brought to Old Lyon Hall, Drusilla turned to the ship-news. At length she saw announced the safe arrival of the Erie at Liverpool. And then she knew that was the last of even indirect news she might hope to hear of Alexander.
But she was not depressed on that account. Her faith, hope and love were strong. Everybody was very good to her. Her baby boy was growing in strength, beauty and intelligence.
The spring was to be early this year. The latter days of February were bright and lovely harbingers of its quick approach.
In the finest hours of the finest days Drusilla took her baby out for short drives around the park—the nurse dragging the little carriage and the mother walking by its side, and Leo often following to open gates or remove obstacles.
There was not unfrequently a high dispute between the brother and sister as to who should take care of the baby.
Leo insisted that as the baby was a boy, it was his right to have charge of him, and declared that he could see no fitness at all in a girl setting herself up to nurse a boy.
Pina retorted that such a thing as a male nurse never was heard of either for male or female child.
Leo would then bring forward his mistress’s promise that he himself should have a good time with little Master Leonard, riding him about on his shoulder.