Mr. Dinsmore highly approved, as did Rose also on being called in to the conference.
"How soon do you think of starting?" she asked, looking at Elsie, then at her husband.
"Papa should decide that," Elsie answered, a slight tremble in her voice, thinking of the absent one to whom that question should have been referred were his dear presence still with them.
She caught a look of tenderest love and sympathy from her father. How well he understood her! How ever thoughtful of her feelings he was!
"I think the decision should rest with you, daughter," he said; "though I suppose the sooner the better."
"Yes," said Arthur; "for grandpa especially."
"I presume no great amount of preparation will be needful, since it is but a change from one home to another," suggested Rose.
"No," said Elsie, "and I think a week will suffice for mine. Papa, can business matters be arranged in that time?"
"Oh yes! so we will say this day week."
The door had opened very quietly a few moments before, admitting little Rose and Walter, and stealing softly to their mother's side they were now leaning on her lap, looking from one to another of their elders and listening with some curiosity to their conversation.