“Your Cousin Mildred is extremely neat, Elsie, is she not?” Rose asked, taking a final survey of the beautiful boudoir.
“I believe she is, mamma, but not more so than you are,” the little girl answered, looking up affectionately into the slightly anxious face of her young step-mother.
“You think she will be pleased with these rooms?”
“O mamma, how could she help it? They are just lovely! sweet with the breath of flowers; and everything corresponds so nicely. You know papa chose all the furniture, carpets, curtains, and ornaments; and he has such excellent taste.”
“So you and I think, at all events,” Rose responded with a smile.
“And Cousin Mildred is lovely enough to match with everything here,” Elsie remarked, sending a satisfied glance from side to side.
“Are you not glad she is coming to make us a good long visit, mamma?”
“Yes, dear, I am indeed, for though I have never met her, I feel quite sure, from all your father, Mrs. Travilla, and you have told me, that I shall love her dearly.”
“I think she will be like a sister to you, and Annis like one to me, and that we shall have oh such a nice time while they stay!”
“Yes, I hope so; but haven’t we nice times always with each other, your dear father, and Baby Horace?”