CHAPTER XVI.
LULU'S PROTEST.
Lulu's self-upbraidings were broken in upon by a gentle tap at her door, followed by Grace's voice saying in glad, eager tones, "Come, Lulu, mamma is going to read us some of her letter from papa. And you shall see mine too, if you want to."
"Yes, I'll be there in a minute," Lulu replied, jumping up, hastily folding her letter, slipping it into its envelope, and that into her pocket.
This done, she hurried into Violet's dressing-room and joined Max and
Grace as listeners to the reading of her father's letter to his wife.
At its conclusion Max offered the one he had received, saying, "Now please read mine aloud, Mamma Vi; I'm sure you would all like to hear it."
"Mine too," Grace said, laying hers in Violet's lap.
When these had been read, both Max and Grace turned expectantly to Lulu.
"Mine is just a nice little talk meant only for me," she said.
"Then, dear, we won't ask to see it," Violet answered pleasantly; and the others seemed satisfied with the explanation.