“No,” said Max, “and you mustn’t tell him. When he comes home we’ll see if we can’t have some fun out of him. He’ll enjoy it as much as we will.”
“Of course; and be as proud of you, Maxie, as Lu and I are.”
Just then they saw the carriage, bringing their parents, turn in at the great gates leading from the highway into the Woodburn grounds, and come rapidly up the drive.
It drew up before the entrance, and the captain alighted and handed out his wife.
The children, always delighted to see them return after even the shortest absence, sprang up and ran forward with eager, joyous greetings.
“I hope you have not been lonely, dears?” said Violet, bending down to receive and return an ardent kiss from Grace. “But I must hurry up to the nursery to see how the babies are doing.”
“Papa, sit down in this easy-chair, please,” said Lulu.
“And let me take your hat and hang it on the rack,” added Max.
“And may I get you a glass of ice-water?”
“And I a fan?” asked Lulu and Grace.