“Yes,” answered Grace. “I b’lieve I’m beginning to be ’most as glad as you are, Lu; but I wouldn’t be if papa hadn’t said I may sit on his knee whenever I want to, and that he’ll take care of me and not let me get too tired.”
“I think my little feeble girl is feeling rather better and stronger to-day,” the captain remarked, bending down to caress and fondle her.
“Yes, papa; I do b’lieve I’m ’most well,” was the cheerful reply, “I feel just as happy!”
“I, too,” chimed in Lulu; “and I’m all ready for the girls; my pretty rooms are in perfect order. Papa, may I have Evelyn sleep with me?”
“Certainly, daughter, if it pleases her to do so. I think you could not have a safer friend than Evelyn.
“I am very glad to see my dear little girls so happy,” he went on, “but, my darlings, you must not expect to be entirely free from vexation and annoyance while entertaining your young friends; there will be clashing of interests and differences of opinion; occasions when some will have to yield their wishes and preferences to those of others, and I shall be highly gratified if my three children show a readiness to do that, and do it cheerfully and pleasantly.”
“We’ll try, papa,” they both replied.
And now they seemed to forget every thing, but the pleasure close at hand, and were nearly wild over the prospect of the new delight of entertaining; quite new to them; for hitherto that privilege had never been accorded them.
Their father showed himself to be in full sympathy with them and allowed them to chatter and laugh to their hearts’ content.
Lulu’s good resolutions were, however, put to the test even before the coming of her guests.