"Most especially so to one who has often sighed in vain for it," said Max.
"Have you wanted us sometimes when you were far away on the sea, Brother Max?" asked Ned with a look of loving sympathy up into his brother's face.
"Yes, indeed, Ned; and expect to do so again before very long."
They were passing through the hall and up the stairway as they talked.
"Oh, the dear old rooms look lovely, lovely!" exclaimed Lucilla, as they passed into the little sitting-room she had formerly shared with her sister Grace, glanced around it and through the open doors into the two bedrooms. "It almost makes me homesick to be living in them again."
"Well, daughter, you may come back whenever you choose," her father said, with a look of mingled amusement and affection.
"Why, Lu, I thought you loved that pretty new home papa has taken such pains to make ready for you and Eva and Max and Chester," exclaimed Elsie.
"Yes, so I do; but this old home has the added charm of being papa's also."
"Yes; but the other is so near that you can see him every day, and oftener, if you choose."