“Yes, indeed, and I thank Him every day—and many times a day—for the dear, lovable wife He has given me.”
“As I do for my best and dearest of husbands,” she said in response.
“And oh, what a number of dear relatives and friends our marriage has given me! Friends they were before, but not really relatives. I am so glad to be able to call your father, sisters and little brother mine. It is so sad to have no near relatives.”
“Yes, I feel that it must be, though I have not known it by experience, having always had my dear father and sisters, Lu and Grace. But now, dearest, it grows late and you are looking weary. Had you not better get to bed as quickly as possible?”
“Yes, my dear, thoughtful husband; it has been quite an exciting day and I am weary,” she said, turning from the cradle to him, her eyes shining with love and joy.
After Grace had said good-night and retired to her own apartments the captain and Violet sat chatting together in the library for some time. It was quite past their usual hour for retiring, when at length they went up to their bedroom. The door was open between it and the next room, which had formerly been occupied by Grace, but was now given up to Ned, he having graduated from the nursery, much to his own gratification. He considered it plain proof that he was no longer a baby boy, but a big fellow hastening on toward manhood.
“I have been feeling somewhat anxious about our little boy,” Violet said in an undertone to her husband, while laying aside her jewelry, “he was so flushed and excited while getting ready for bed. Oh, hark, how he is talking now!”
She paused in her employment and stood listening, the captain doing likewise.
“I got to the base first, and it’s your turn to be ‘It,’ Eric!” Ned called out in excited tones.