"You're a funny talker, Elsie," laughed Max.
"Your English is not of the purest, little woman," said her Uncle
Harold.
"Tell Uncle Harold he must not expect perfection in a beginner," said her father. "Where are grandma and mamma?"
"In the parlor I believe," said Grace. "Oh no! see, they are just coming down the stairs."
"Yes, here we are," said Violet; "anxious, for a report of the morning's proceedings in the magistrate's office. Won't you walk into the parlor, gentlemen, and let us have it?"
"Certainly, we will be very happy to gratify your very excusable curiosity," returned her husband laughingly, as she came to his side, and he stooped his tall form to give her the kiss with which he never failed to greet her after even a brief separation.
The older people all repaired to the parlor, but the children did not follow.
"I must go and look over my lessons," said Max.
"And I'm going to my room," said Lulu. "Gracie, if you will come with me, I'll tell you all about the trial—if that's what they call it."
"O yes, do!" responded Grace, as the two started up the stairs together.
"Were you scared, Lu?"