Lulu then explained about the light, saying she was welcome to put it out or leave it burning just as she preferred, and bidding her a kind good-night left the room. Hurrying down to the veranda, she found her father and Violet still there sitting side by side, conversing together in rather subdued tones.
“Here I am, papa,” Lulu said, approaching them.
“That is right,” he responded and drew her to a seat upon his knee. “You saw that your guest had every want supplied?” he asked, caressing her hair and cheek with his hand as he spoke.
“Yes, sir. O papa, tell me all about it, please.”
“All about what?” he asked with a smile, holding her close and pressing a kiss upon her lips.
“About Marian, sir. Did you know she was coming? and was it just to get her you drove into the village?”
“One question at a time, my child,” he returned with an amused look. “Yes, I knew she was coming. I had found a letter from her on my library table telling me so, and reminding me of the invitation you heard me give her just before leaving Minersville, to apply to me for help should the time ever come when she would need a friend able and willing to aid her.”
“Oh, yes, papa, I remember it, and I don’t think anybody could find a better friend than my dear father when in need of one.”
“Well, I found the letter, read it to your Mamma Vi, then drove into the village for Marian, leaving for you the pleasure of being taken by surprise on seeing her return with me.”
“And a very pleasant surprise it was, papa. Is she going to stay? and oh, what has become of her poor mother and the boys? I suppose she told you all about them as you drove back from the village?”