Lulu was about to accompany him, but turned suddenly, sprang past the doctor, and dropping on her knees by the side of the couch, seized her father’s hand, and lifting it to her lips, kissed it with passionate fervor.
“My little girl’s love is a great comfort to me,” he said in a low tone; “but go now, darling. You may come to me again when you return from Ion; unless the doctor forbids.”
“Which I think the doctor will not,” said Arthur. “Now run away like a good child.”
Max found Grace in the hall crying as if her heart would break.
“Oh, Maxie, tell me ’bout papa!” she sobbed; “is he—is he ’most—’most killed?”
“No, Gracie; he knows every thing, and is able to talk; but his ankle is badly hurt and pains him a good deal,” answered Max, speaking as cheerfully as he could, to relieve the fears of his little sister.
“Oh, can I go and see him?” she asked.
“No, not just now; the doctor is dressing his ankle, and papa says we must ride out for air and exercise, go over to Ion for just a little while, and when we come back, I think they’ll let you see him.”
At this moment Lulu joined them. “Don’t cry, Gracie, dear,” she entreated, taking her in her arms. “You and I are going to nurse papa and make him well again.”
“You may as well include me in that; I’m the eldest,” said Max. “We will all three do every thing we can for him. Now go and get your things on—the ponies are at the door waiting—and we’ll ride over to Ion at once. That’s papa’s orders, and I know he would say the first and best thing is to be obedient, if we want to make him happy and help him to get well.”