“Oh, how nice!” she cried. “They didn’t forget me; no, not one of them! I’m so glad! it’s so pleasant to be remembered!”
She examined each gift, noting its beauties, and from whom it came—for they were all labelled—then sprang out of bed and began dressing in haste.
She had scarcely finished when her father entered noiselessly, stepped softly up behind her and caught her in his arms before she was aware of his presence.
“Good morning, my darling, and many happy returns of the day,” he said, kissing her fondly.
“Good morning, my dearest papa,” she returned, twining her arms about his neck, “and thank you for that lovely little clock, it is just what I wanted for my mantel.”
“I am glad it pleases you,” he said.
Grace had followed him in.
“Oh, Lu, I’m glad you’ve got a birthday!” she exclaimed. “But weren’t you surprised?”
“At having a birthday, Gracie?” asked their father, laughing a little, and hugging them both at once.
“No, papa; at the things on the table.”