"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."—PROV. xxii. 15.
"He seems to feel terribly about it, poor man!" remarked Zoe with a backward glance at the retreating form of Capt. Raymond, as he left them and pursued his way to the house.
"Yes, and no wonder," said Edward. "Not for worlds would I be the father of such a child as Lulu!"
"Nor I her mother," said Zoe. "So I'm glad it was you I got for a husband instead of Capt. Raymond."
"Only for that reason?" he queried, facing round upon her in mock astonishment and wrath.
"Oh, of course!" she returned, laughing, then sobering down with a sudden recollection of the sorrow in the house. "But, O Ned! how heartless we are to be joking and laughing when poor Vi and the captain are in such distress!"
"I'm afraid you are right," he assented with a sigh. "Yet I am quite sure we both feel deeply for them, and are personally grieved for the injury to our darling little niece."
"Yes, indeed! the pretty pet that she is!" returned Zoe, wiping her eyes.
Gracie was on the veranda looking for her father, and, catching sight of him in the avenue, ran to meet him.
"How is baby now? Can you tell me?" he asked, taking her hand, and stooping to give her a kiss.