"'Cept mammy," corrected Vi.
"Yes, mammy to love her and take care of her, but no brother or sister to play with, and no dear mamma or papa like ours."
"Yes, poor dear grandma!" sighed little Elsie. "And it was almost as hard for you, mamma, when you were a little girl: didn't you feel very sad?"
"Ah, daughter, I had Jesus to love me, and help me in all my childish griefs and troubles," the mother answered, with a glad smile; "and mammy to hug and kiss and love me just as she does you."
"But oh, didn't you want your mamma and papa?"
"Yes, sorely, sorely at times; but I think no little child could be happier than I was when at last; my dear father came home, and I found that he loved me dearly. Ah, I am so glad, so thankful that my darlings have never suffered for lack of love."
"I too, mamma."
"And I."
"And I," they exclaimed, clinging about her and loading her with caresses.
"Hark!" she said, "I hear your dear grandpa's step, and there, he is knocking at the door."