“Oh, yes, sir!” they both replied. Grace adding, “I’m done now, papa, and ready to be put in bed again, when I’ve said my prayers.”
The tea-bell rang as he laid her down, so with a good-night kiss, he left her to Lulu’s care.
The guests all went away early the next afternoon, most of them expecting to return on Monday, and a little later Max came home, riding his pony which his father had sent for him.
Every body gave him a warm welcome, from his father down to the baby, who the moment she caught sight of him, held up her little arms crying, “Max, Max, take her.”
“Why, of course I will, you pretty pet,” he said, picking her up and hugging her in his arms. “How fast you’re learning to talk; and are you glad to have brother come home?”
The boy was more pleased than he cared to show.
She nodded her curly head in answer to his question, while Violet said, “We are all very glad, indeed, Max; we have missed you in spite of having company every day while you were gone.”
“And though I’ve had a fine time at the Oaks I’m ever so glad to get back, Mamma Vi,” responded Max. “I’ve found out the truth of the saying that there’s no place like home.”
“And I trust will be always of that opinion,” his father remarked, with a pleased look.
“It is my ardent desire that to each one of my children their home in their father’s house may seem the happiest place on earth.”