He had told her in his last letter that she was making him proud of her, and what a thrill of delight the words had given her.
"Papa and mamma!" exclaimed Violet, breaking a pause in the conversation, "home is very dear and sweet, and yet—I'm afraid I ought to be ashamed to say it, but I do want to go away somewhere for awhile, to the seashore I think; that is if we can all go and be together."
"I see no objection if all would like it," her father said, with an indulgent smile. "What do you say to the plan, little wife?"
"I echo my husband's sentiments as a good wife should," she answered with something of the sportiveness of other days.
"And we echo yours, mother," said Edward. "Do we not?" appealing to the others.
"Oh yes, yes!" they cried, "a summer at the seashore, by all means."
"In a cottage home of our own; shall it not be, papa?" added Elsie.
"Your mamma decides all such questions," was his smiling rejoinder.
"I approve the suggestion. It is far preferable to hotel life," she said. "Molly, my child, you are the only one who has not spoken."
Molly's bright face had clouded a little. "I want you all to go and enjoy yourselves," she said, "though I shall miss you sadly."