As he entered Lucilla started to her feet with a glad cry, "Oh, father, father, my own dear father!"
He caught her in his arms and held her fast, caressing her with exceeding tenderness.
"My darling, my own dear, dear child. God be thanked that I come home to find you here, restored to usual health and strength."
"And you, father? You are well?" she asked, looking lovingly into his eyes.
"Quite well, daughter mine," he answered with another tender caress, "and if I were not, the sight of this dear child of mine would be almost enough to make me so."
"And the sight of your new grandchild, your first grandson, might help the cure, might it not?" she answered with a proud, joyful glance directed at the tiny sleeper in the crib.
"Ah, what a darling!" her father said, releasing her and leaning over the crib. "His grandfather's heart has wide room in it for him. He is a beautiful babe in his grandsire's eyes, a dear one to his grandfather's heart. I feel very rich with two lovely grandchildren."
"May I come in?" asked Violet's voice at the door.
"Oh, yes, indeed, Mamma Vi," answered Lucilla in joyous tones. "How glad I am to have you at home again," she added as they exchanged a hearty embrace. "Now come and look at my baby boy, my little Ray of Sunshine, from Sunnyside," she added with a gleeful laugh.