"Good-night, dear little one; pleasant dreams and a happy awaking, if it be God's will," Elsie said, bending down to touch her lips to the rosebud mouth and let the small arms twine themselves around her neck.
"Good-night, dear Grandma Elsie," responded the child. "Oh, aren't you ever so glad God brought our Lulu safely home to us?"
"I am indeed, dear; let us not forget to thank Him for it in our prayers to-night."
Lulu heard, and as Grace's arms went round her neck the next moment, and the sweet lips, tremulous with emotion, touched her cheek,
"Were you so distressed about me, Gracie?" she asked with feeling. "Did
Mamma Vi care so very much that I might be drowned?"
"Yes, indeed, Lu, dear Lu; oh, what could I do without my dear sister?"
"You know you have another one now," Suggested Lulu.
"That doesn't make any difference," said Grace. "She's the darling baby sister; you are the dear, dear big sister."
"Papa calls me his little girl," remarked Lulu, half musingly; "and somehow I like to be little to him and big to you. Oh, Gracie, what do you suppose he will say when he hears about to-night?—my being so bad; and so soon after he went away, too."
"Oh, Lu, what made you?"