“Stay at home with mamma,” was the reply, at which the children all laughed.
But now the carriages were at the door, and they must hasten to prepare for their homeward drive.
It was but a short one from Beechwood to Woodburn, and to that hospitable home went not only the immediate family, but the Sunnyside folk also, Grandma Elsie and her sons, Harold and Herbert.
An inviting tea was ready for them on their arrival, and after it they had a delightful social evening together, music and conversation making the time pass very swiftly.
But the guests were all disposed to retire to their homes at a reasonably early hour; first, however, they sang a hymn together; then the captain read a portion of Scripture, and led them in a prayer full of love and gratitude for the numberless blessings that sweetened their lives. Then the good-nights were said and the outsiders departed to their homes. But there was no sadness in the partings, for all expected to meet again in a few hours.
When Grace came to her father for the usual good-night caress he took her in his arms and held her close.
“My own darling daughter,” he said low and tenderly, “you don’t know how dear, how very dear you are to your father. Millions could not buy you from me.”
“Dear, dear papa, it is very sweet to have you love me so,” she responded in tones trembling with emotion, “and I think my love for you is as great as yours for me.”
“Yet you want me to give you away?”