“Suppose we decide now who are to be invited,” he said. “Gracie must have a say about that, as well as the rest of us.”
“I s’pose we’ll have all the relations—least all that aren’t too old—won’t we papa?” she asked.
“Yes, I think so; the same company they had at the Oaks, for the whole time, and the grown people in the evenings, when we are to have tableaux or the magic cave or something else not too juvenile for them to enjoy.”
“Papa,” said Lulu, “I thought you said I was to have some choice.”
“Yes, daughter; mention any one else you may wish to invite.”
“I don’t care to have any body else, but—papa, please don’t be angry with me, but I’d rather not have Rosie Travilla here.” She hung her head and blushed, as she spoke in a low, hesitating way.
The captain looked a little surprised, but not angry. “Why not, my child?” he asked. “You ought to have a very good excuse for leaving her out.”
“Papa, its because—because I’m afraid she’ll get me in a passion.”
“Ah,” he said with an involuntary sigh, “I remember now that she was mixed up in some way with that unfortunate affair of a few weeks ago. But can you not forgive her for that?”
“Yes, papa, if I only could be sure she wouldn’t say horrid things to me that—but, oh, I didn’t mean to tell tales!”