“How are the children at home?” asked Mr Oswald, kindly.
“They are—not better.”
“I hope they are not spoiled,” said Frank, laughing. “Did they cry when you came away, Violet?”
“They were rather fretful. They are not strong.”
“You are not very well yourself, to-night,” said Mr Oswald. “The change will do you as much good as any of them.”
“I am quite well,” said Violet.
“We have been speaking about sending the girls to the country for a change of air,” went on Mr Oswald. “Will you go with them? Betsey will go too, of course, but they will scarcely be happy without you, and the change will do you good.”
“Thank you. You are very kind. But the children need me at home. I could not think of leaving mamma while they are so poorly to go away for pleasure.”
“It would not be quite all pleasure, I fancy,” said Mr Philip. “They are asleep at last. It cannot be a very easy thing to keep them amused all day, as they are just now.”
“They are quite spoiled,” said Aunt Livy.