“Certainly, my child. It is your own home now quite as much as it ever was; because you are as much as ever my own dear daughter.”
“Thank you for those kind, loving words, father dear,” she returned with emotion, laying a hand on his shoulder as she stood at his side and giving him a look of ardent affection.
At that he bent his head and kissed her on forehead, cheek and lips.
“It is my turn now, papa,” said Grace sportively, coming up to his other side.
“So it is, my darling,” he returned, repeating for her exactly what he had done to Lucilla.
Elsie had noted it all with interest.
“Now, papa, isn’t it my turn?” she asked, her eyes shining, her lips curling with a smile of love and entreaty.
“Yes, little daughter, yes, indeed! You are no less dear than your older sisters. Come and give and take the caresses papa loves to exchange with you.”
Violet and Evelyn preferred to keep watch over the sleeping babe, but all the others joined in making the circuit of the rooms Lucilla had expressed a desire to see. They found them all in good order, Christine being an excellent housekeeper, and having good and competent servants under her.