“My dear, loving little daughter,” he responded, gazing tenderly upon her; then added with a sigh, “I wish I could think that hard experience had left no ill effects, but it is plain to me that you were injured morally, and poor Gracie will not soon recover from the damage to her health.”
Violet came hurrying in just in time to catch his last words.
“What is it, dear?” she asked anxiously, “has Gracie’s little outing been too much for her?”
“No, I trust not,” he answered cheerfully; “I hope it will prove, in the end, to have been of benefit; but she is quite weary now and Lulu and I are going to put her to bed. Bring her night-dress, daughter.”
Lulu hastened to obey, and Violet, drawing near, stooped over Gracie with a fond caress and a few endearing words.
“I am very sorry you are so tired, darling,” she said, “but I hope you will have a good night’s sleep and wake in the morning feeling all the better for your little trip.”
“Yes, mamma, I’m ’most sure I shall,” said Grace, “my bed is so soft and nice to sleep in.”
“Shall not I take your place in helping to make her ready for it, Levis?” Violet asked in a sprightly tone.
“No, no,” he said, “I’m much obliged, but consider myself quite competent to the task; besides, I hear baby calling you.”
So with a kind good-night to Gracie, Violet left them.