"Yes, we will go now."
"Me too, mamma?" asked Harold.
"Yes, all of you come. I want you all to see everything that I have that once belonged to my dear mother."
"Aunt Rosie wants to see them too," said Vi.
"And Herbert and Meta and the others," added Elsie.
"They shall see them afterwards. I want no one but my own little children now," replied mamma, taking Harold's hand, and leading the way.
She led them to the room, a large and very pleasant one, light and airy, where flowers were blooming and birds singing, vines trailing over and about the windows, lovely pictures on the walls, cosy chairs and couches, work-tables, well supplied with all the implements for sewing, others suited for drawing, writing or cutting out upon, standing here and there, quantities of books, games and toys; nothing seemed to have been forgotten that could give pleasant employment for their leisure hours, or minister to their amusement.
There was a burst of united exclamations of wondering delight from the children, as the door was thrown open and they entered. Now they understood why mamma had put them off when several times they had asked to be brought to this room: she was having it fitted up in a way to give them a joyful surprise.
"Do you like it, my darlings?" she asked with a pleased smile.
"Oh, yes, yes! yes indeed!" they cried, jumping, dancing and clapping their hands, "dear, dear mamma, how good, how good you are to us!" and they nearly smothered her with caresses.