“I think it likely the last of them came on the midnight train, which brings the express,” he answered. “I will make inquiry after breakfast. Now try to forget these matters for a little, while we have our reading and prayer.”
She sobered down at that, and earnestly tried to give her thoughts to the teachings of the portion of Scripture her father read, and to join with her heart in the prayer that followed.
That duty attended to, and the breakfast bell not having rung yet, they repaired to the front porch to wait for it.
There seemed an unusual stir in the town, people passing to and fro, early though it was, and fire-crackers going off here and there.
“You seem to have stirred up the patriotism of the people here, Captain,” Mr. Short said laughingly, as he came in at the gate and up the path to the porch steps. “Good-morning, sir. Good-morning, young folks. We are favored with as good weather as one could ask for, and your packages all arrived by last night’s train; so that everything looks propitious for your celebration, so far. I had the things taken directly to the school-house, and doubtless they will be unpacked in good season.”
The captain said “Thank you,” and invited Mr. Short to walk in and take breakfast with them. The bell rang at the moment, and the invitation was accepted.
“You are honoring the day, I see, Miss Lulu,” remarked Mr. Short, with a smiling glance at her attire.
“Oh, yes,” she said, looking down at her badge, “I want everybody to know that I’m a patriotic American girl. I made this badge and a whole boxful beside for the school children to wear.
“Papa, mayn’t I carry them to the schoolhouse myself, after breakfast, and help the teacher fasten them on?”
“You may go, and I’ll go with you,” he said; “and if the children fancy wearing them, and the teacher will accept our services, we will do as you propose.”