"No; we have all been too much excited to close an eye," she answered."
They are gone? Do tell me all about it!"
"O papa, please come in here and tell it where Gracie and I can hear," called Lulu entreatingly, from the inner room, and the bed where they still lay clasped in each other's arms.
"I will; I think you deserve the indulgence," he said going to them,
Violet and Max following, the latter asking, "May I come in too, papa?"
"Yes," replied his father, placing a chair for Violet. "I presume it will be a relief to you all to talk the matter over together with your mamma and me, and you will perhaps be more inclined for sleep afterward."
"Papa, won't you sit down and take me on your knee, and hug me up close, while you tell it?" entreated Grace.
"I will," he said, doing as she requested. Then catching a longing look in Lulu's eyes, "You may come too, daughter," he said. "Slip on your dressing-gown and stand here by my side. I have an arm for you as well as one for Gracie."
Lulu promptly and joyfully availed herself of the permission.
"Lu," said Max, "you're a real heroine! brave as a lion! I'm proud to own you for my sister. I'm afraid I mightn't have been half so brave."
"Oh yes, Max, I'm sure you would have done just the same," she returned, blushing with pleasure. "And you see I preferred to do it, because I thought they might kill papa, and that would have been oh so much worse than being killed myself!" clinging lovingly to her father, and hiding her face on his shoulder as she spoke.
"Dear child!" he said in moved tones and clasping her close, "you have a very strong and unselfish love for me."