“Ah, I fear my dear eldest daughter is but a silly little girl as regards her father and the respect paid him by others,” remarked the captain, laying a hand affectionately upon Lulu’s shoulder as she stood by his side.
“I’m afraid I am, papa,” she returned, coloring and smiling rather shamefacedly, “but I just can’t bear to have even Mamma Vi talk as if you weren’t quite perfect.” At that the captain laughed.
“It would never do coming from a daughter,” he said, “but is entirely excusable in a wife.”
“Thank you, sir,” laughed Vi, “I quite appreciate the privilege you accord me.”
“I’m afraid it is time for me to go to my room and make myself neat for tea,” said Marian, pulling out a pretty little watch; at which Lulu and Grace cried, “How lovely!”
“Yes; it is another of Cousin Ronald’s gifts; something I had hardly ever dared to hope to possess. Was it not good and kind in him to give it to me?”
Then she told of the roll of bank-notes he had put into her hand that morning, and that the price of the watch did not come out of that.
It was handed about from one to another, admired by all, then returned to its owner, who immediately gathered up a number of her packages and, with Lulu and a servant carrying the rest, hastened to her room.
The two girls came down again presently in answer to the tea-bell.