“The mountain rill
Seeks with no surer flow the far, bright sea,
Than my unchanged affections flow to thee.”
—Park Benjamin.
The Landreths and Annis returned to the Oaks on Monday of the next week, and on Tuesday all went to Ion, where the rest of the week was spent most delightfully.
There was a large dinner party the first day, but after that they were the only guests, and their host and hostess quite laid themselves out for their entertainment.
Rose and Mildred enjoyed many a nice, quiet chat with Mrs. Travilla in the mornings, while the little girls were busy with their tasks; the afternoons, when the weather permitted, were spent in the open air, walking, riding, or driving; and in the evenings all gathered about the fire, and lively conversation, enigmas, stories, games, and music made the time fly so fast that the little folks could scarcely believe the clock was right when it told them their hour for going to bed had come.
Annis would sometimes have lingered if Elsie might have done so too; but that Mr. Dinsmore would not allow; so with a pleasant good-night to all they went away together; for they shared the same room and enjoyed it greatly.
On Saturday evening they returned to the Oaks, and on Monday the old round of duties and pleasures was taken up again.
One stormy afternoon, as the little girls sat together in Elsie’s dressing-room, pleasantly busied in millinery and mantua-making for the family of dolls, Annis said, “I read ‘Oliver Twist’ while we were at Holly Hall.”