The picture suggested by Violet was taken first. In it Grandma Elsie was seated between her father on one side, and her namesake daughter on the other, Mrs. Leland having her babe in her arms, while little Ned leaned confidingly against his great-grandfather's knee.
The captain and Violet, with their two little ones, made another pretty picture. Then the captain was taken again with his older three grouped about him. Then Grandma Elsie again with her son Edward and his Zoe, standing behind her, Rosie and Walter one on each side.
She thought this quite enough, but her college boys insisted on having her taken again, seated between them.
It was then proposed that the other members of the company should be taken in turn—singly or in groups;—but all declined, expressing a decided preference for spending the time in a more amusing manner, such as forming tableaux and acting charades.
The older people took possession of a large parlor and sat there conversing, while the younger ones consulted together and made their arrangements in the library.
Misconstrue was the first word chosen. Presently Evelyn walked into the parlor, followed almost immediately by Harold with a book in his hand.
"You are here, Miss?" he said glancing at Evelyn. "And you, Miss?" as
Sydney Dinsmore came tripping in from the hall.
"Yes; and here comes another Miss;" she replied, as Lulu appeared in the open doorway.
"I too, am a miss; there are four of us here now," said Rosie, coming up behind Lulu.
"I am a miss," proclaimed Maud Dinsmore, stepping in after Rosie.