Max laid the baby in, Evelyn covered her carefully with the afghan, and for some minutes Max drew her back and forth on the veranda, she cooing as if enjoying the ride.
Chester and Lucilla had quite a good deal to tell each other of their experiences during the past weeks of separation, and were chatting and laughing merrily in her pretty boudoir, when some slight sounds made by the baby and its parents and carriage excited their curiosity and brought them hurrying downstairs to learn what was going on there.
“Oh, how pretty!” cried Lucilla, as she caught sight of the little vehicle. “How fine for our darling baby! Where did it come from?”
“It is father’s gift,” answered Max; “the dear, kind father who always thinks of everything he can possibly do to add to the happiness of his children.”
“He does, indeed!” exclaimed Evelyn. “Nobody could have a better, kinder father.”
“We are all going over to Woodburn this evening,” said Max, “and we will take baby in her carriage.”
“She, as queen of the party, will ride, and the rest of us will walk,” laughed Lucilla. “Oh, you little darling, auntie hopes you will always be able to ride when you want to.”
“Doubtless she will if it is best for her,” said Max. “It looks now as if she were born for easy times, but no one can tell what may be in store for either us or her in the future.”
“Father would say, ‘Don’t allow yourself to be troubled with anxiety in regard to the future; remember the teaching of the Thirty-seventh Psalm, Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed,’” said Lucilla.
“Yes,” agreed Evelyn, “if we all had perfect trust in Him, I am sure we should be free from anxiety and very happy.”