"Ah ha! ah ha, um h'm! ah ha! Well, she soon will. Child, you look very like a picture of your great-grandmother that hangs in my house in Edinburgh. A bonny lassie she must have been when it was taken."
"Yes, sir; and she's the picture of mamma;" remarked Eddie; "everybody says so."
"Ah ha, ah ha! um h'm, ah ha!"
"Has you dot any 'ittle boys and dirls at your house?" asked Harold.
"Yes, my man, a quiver full of them."
"Are they good? do they love Jesus?" asked Vi. "Please tell us about them."
"If you like to, sir," said Elsie, with a sweet and gentle gravity.
"Vi, dear, you know we mustn't tease."
"No, I didn't mean to tease," Vi answered, blushing. "Please excuse me, sir, and don't tell it 'less you want to."
"No, no; it will give me pleasure, my dear. I enjoy talking of my darlings; especially now when they are so far away."
He seemed about to begin, when Elsie, blushing deeply, said, "Excuse me, sir, I have been very remiss in my hospitalities. It is early, and perhaps you have not breakfasted."