The captain reported to Violet, then passed on into the apartments of his little daughters. He found them up and dressed, standing at the window of their sitting-room gazing out into the grounds.
"Good morning, my darlings," he said.
"Oh good morning, papa," they cried, turning and running into his outstretched arms to give and receive tenderest caresses.
"What were you looking at?" he asked presently.
"Oh! oh! the loveliest sight!" cried Lulu. "Do, papa, come and look," taking his hand and drawing him toward the window. "There, isn't it?"
"Yes; I have seldom seen a finer," he assented.
"And the sun is shining so brightly; can't I take a walk with you to-day?" she asked, looking coaxingly up into his face.
"Why, my child, the walks and roads are sheeted with ice; you could not stand, much less walk on them."
"I think I could, papa, if—if you'd only let me try. But oh don't look troubled, for indeed, indeed, I'm not going to be naughty about it, though I have been shut up in the house for so long, except just riding in the close carriage to church yesterday."
"Yes; and I know it has been hard for you," he said, smoothing her hair with caressing hand.