Grace was too tired to talk, but she made a good listener while Lulu’s tongue ran fast enough for two all the time they were waiting for their supper and eating it after it came up—as tempting a meal as anyone could have reasonably desired.
Lulu’s themes were of course the tableaux they had seen at the Oaks, those they expected to have the next week here in their own home, and such other amusements as had been planned for the entertainment of the invited guests.
“And aren’t you glad, Gracie, that Maxie’s coming home tomorrow afternoon?” she asked.
“Yes, indeed,” returned Grace; “Maxie’s such a nice brother, and I’m tired doing without him.”
“So am I; but O, Gracie, how much worse it was to have to do without papa more than half the time, as we used to!”
“Worse than what?” asked the captain in a playful tone, stepping in at the open door leading into Grace’s bedroom.
The little girls were still at the table in the sitting-room.
“Worse than having Max away for a little while, papa,” replied Lulu.
“But we think that’s bad too,” said Grace.
“It will soon be over; Maxie will be at home to-morrow,” he said, sitting down beside her. “Are you enjoying your supper, my darlings?”