"Oh, isn't it splendid!" he cried, and hurried to Violet to pour out his thanks.
Grandma Elsie, seated on the sofa by Violet's side, shared with her the pleasure of witnessing the children's delight.
Our friends had now spent several days in Boston, and the next morning they left for Philadelphia, where they paid a short visit to relatives. This was their last halt on the journey home to Ion.
CHAPTER VI.
"—to the guiltless heart, where'er we roam,
No scenes delight us like our much-loved home."
—Robert Hillhouse.
Elsie and her children had greatly enjoyed their summer at the North, but now were filled with content and happiness at the thought of soon seeing again their loved home at Ion, while Max and Lulu looked forward with pleasing anticipations and eager curiosity to their first sight of it, having heard various glowing descriptions of it from "Mamma Vi" and Rosie.
Their father, too, had spoken of it as a home so delightful that they ought to feel the liveliest gratitude for having been invited to share its blessings.
It was looking very beautiful, very inviting, on the arrival of our travellers late in the afternoon of a warm, bright October day.
The woods and the trees that bordered the avenue were in the height of their autumn glory, the gardens gay with many flowers of the most varied and brilliant hues, and the lengthening shadows slept on a still green and velvety lawn.