“Yes, with the understanding that if at any time we prove troublesome company we are to be informed that such is the case and to leave at very short notice.”
“You may be sure of getting such notice if your conduct calls for it,” laughed Mrs. Leland. “So don’t set your hearts too strongly upon staying here as long as Max and Eva do.”
“There is not the slightest danger of Sister Violet earning such notice and hardly of her children doing so,” remarked Mr. Leland, “but I am not so sure of our own boys and girls. Remember, my children,” glancing around upon them, “that you are to play very quietly when you are in or near the house while Cousin Eva is sick.”
In answer there was a chorus of assurances that they would be very careful to do nothing to injure “dear Cousin Eva,” but everything they could to help her to get well.
An hour later they were all—including Elsie and Ned—invited to go quietly into Cousin Eva’s dressing-room and see her new treasure, which they found sleeping on Grandma Elsie’s lap. They all regarded it with great interest and pronounced it a dear, pretty little thing.
“What is its name, grandma?” they asked.
“I don’t think she has any yet, except that she is a little Miss Raymond,” Grandma Elsie answered, with a smile and a loving look down into the wee face.
“Oh, yes, because Brother Max is her father and his name is Raymond,” said little Elsie, “and Sisters Lu and Grace and I are her aunts. Oh, I think it’s nice to have such a dear little niece!”