“I’m her own grandfather’s wife,” laughed Violet, “and what’s my husband’s is mine also. Isn’t it, my dear?” turning to him with a pleased little laugh.
“Yes,” he replied, “I consider you as having a right to a share in all my possessions.”
“That’s nice and kind in you, papa,” said Elsie, “but I don’t like my pretty young mamma to be thought old; and folks will think so if she’s called grandma.”
“Well, daughter, I should think a sight of her face would convince anybody of the absurdity of that,” the captain said, drawing Elsie to his side and smoothing her hair caressingly. Then bending over the babe, which was waking, he said caressingly: “Grandpa’s pretty pet! the first grandchild, sweet and beautiful as a lily or a rose.”
At that she looked up into his face and cooed.
“That’s a pretty reply to grandpa, baby darling,” he said, softly touching her cheek with his lips.
Then she seemed to speak:
“I love you, my dear grandpa.”
“Oh, that’s nice for her to say,” cried Elsie, clapping her hands and laughing merrily; “and I do believe she does, papa, for see how sweetly she looks at you. Oh, I think she’s just the dearest, prettiest baby that ever was made.”
“That’s rather strong, isn’t it?” laughed Max; “but you are young and have seen comparatively few of her age.”