“No,” he replied with emotion, tightening the clasp of his arm about her waist and pressing his lips again and again to her cheek and brow, “not for long; but in the course of nature I shall probably be called away first, and for your children’s sake I hope you may yet live many years, and that those years may be for you as free as possible from the infirmities of age.”
“And it is that I wish for you, dear father, for your children’s sake; my own especially,” she returned, gazing lovingly into his eyes.
Another tap at the door, and Edward and Zoe entered, each carrying a baby.
“Here we come, mamma, with your birthday gifts,” cried Zoe gayly, “and wishing you many, many happy returns of the day.”
“Thank you, my dears; but O Zoe, this is too much exertion for you! you should not have done it, my child!” Elsie answered, stepping hastily forward and taking little Laurie from his young mother’s arms, while Zoe sank into an easy-chair, panting a little, the color coming and going in her cheeks.
“The nurse carried him to the very door, mamma,” she said; “and I thought I was stronger than I am.”
“It is my fault,—I should not have allowed it,” said Edward, looking anxiously at Zoe.
“Don’t be alarmed, my dear; I am not injured in the least,” she responded, smiling up into his face as he stood over her, forgetting everything else in concern for her. “You haven’t presented your half of the gift to mamma; nor any good wishes either.”
“As if both halves didn’t belong to both of us,” he responded, with an amused smile. “Mamma, I wish you many, many happy returns of the day, and beg to present you with what I consider a priceless treasure—my little daughter, your youngest granddaughter,” laying the babe in the arms she held out to receive it, having already resigned the other to its great-grandsire.
“They are indeed priceless treasures, and very dear to their grandmamma’s heart,” she said, cuddling it close in her arms and pressing kisses on the tiny velvet cheek.