Almost immediately on their arrival at home Christine, the housekeeper, sought an interview with the captain, and after a few minutes’ chat with her, he repaired to the apartments of his daughters.
“Lulu,” he said, “we find that it will be necessary for you to accommodate more than one of your young friends here at night.”
“O papa, please don’t say that?” she returned, coaxingly. “I thought it would be so nice to have just Eva, and nobody else, in here with me nights and mornings; can’t it be managed somehow?”
“I am afraid not,” he said; “there will not be room for all unless we give you two companions.”
“But I have only one bed, papa, and it will crowd us very much to sleep three in a bed.”
“Yes; one will have to lie on the couch here, which will make a very comfortable bed: and that one, I think, should be my own little daughter, Lulu.”
“Papa, you said I might have Evelyn to sleep with me, and there wouldn’t be room for more than one on the couch.”
He sat down and drew her to him.
“Yes, I did make that promise—or rather give that permission, and I do not withdraw it; if you insist upon it, you and Evelyn may occupy the bed, and some one of your guests will have to content herself with the couch; but would it not be more polite and kind on your part if you resign your bed to her and Eva, and take the couch yourself?”
“Yes, sir; and I will if you say I must. I’ll have to, of course.”