"Somebody else would take care of you," said Lulu, flushing with pleasure nevertheless. "There now, I'll go and put both our things in their right places."
When she came back she found Grace brimming over with delight because the kitten had waked, crept into her lap, and curled itself up there for another nap.
"O Lu, just see!" she cried. "I do believe she's fond of me. Isn't it nice?"
"Yes, very nice; but you're burning your face before that bright fire. Oh you do need your big sister to take care of you!" lifting a screen in between Grace and the glowing grate.
Then seating herself on a hassock, "Now put your head in my lap and stretch yourself out on the rug. You can rest nicely that way and we'll have a good talk. Such a nice, big, soft rug as this is! I should think it must have taken several big sheep skins to make it, and it was so good in papa to have it put here for us."
"Yes, indeed! our dear papa! how I do love him! he's always doing kind things to us."
"Yes, O Gracie, if I were only good like you and didn't ever do and say naughty things that make him feel sad!" sighed Lulu. "Oh do you know we are going to have a party on New Years? All the folks that were at Ion are to come; the grown up ones to be papa's and Mamma Vi's company, and the young ones your's and Maxie's and mine."
"Yes, I know. And we're all to go to Fairview to spend Monday."
"Won't it be nice?"
"Yes—" a rather doubtful yes—"but I—'most think I like being at home the best of all."