Violet's arm was instantly around the child's waist; she kissed her tenderly two or three times, then said, looking down at the sleeping babe, "This is your little sister, Gracie."
"Oh, the darling, wee, pretty pet!" exclaimed Gracie, bending over it. "Mamma, I'm so glad, if—if——" She stopped in confusion, while Lulu, standing back a little, threw an angry glance at her.
"If what, dear?" asked Violet.
"If you and papa will love me and all of us just as well," stammered the little girl, growing very red, and her eyes filling with tears.
"Dear child," Violet said, drawing her to her side with another tender caress, "you need not doubt it for a moment."
"Why, Gracie, what could have put such a notion into your head?'" said Max. "Mamma Vi, may I kiss you and it, too?" with an affectionate glance at her, then a gaze of smiling curiosity at the babe.
"Indeed, you may, Max," Violet answered, offering her lips.
"I'm glad she's come, and I expect to love her dearly," he remarked, when he had touched his lips softly to the babe's cheek, "though I'd rather she'd been a boy, as I have two sisters already and no brother at all."
"Haven't you a kiss for me, Lulu, dear?" Violet asked half entreatingly, "and a welcome for your little sister?"
Lulu silently and half reluctantly kissed both, then turned and walked out of the room.