"Lulu, dear child, I want to see you here with the rest to-night; you are one of my little girls, and I would not have you so rebellious that you must be shut out from my house. There! you need not answer, dear; only remember that Grandma Elsie loves you, and longs to see you good and happy."
"Thank you, ma'am; you're very good and kind," Lulu said a little tremulously, then hurried into the carriage, Max giving her the help of his hand.
The others were already in, and as Max took the only vacant seat, by Lulu's side, he noticed that her face was very red, and that Grace was crying.
"What's the matter?" he asked, glancing from one to the other.
"Lulu's not coming home with us to-night; she's going to board at
Oakdale, she says," sobbed Grace.
"Is that so? What for?" asked Max, looking at Lulu.
"Because Grandpa Dinsmore says I must, if I won't take lessons of Signor
Foresti."
It was news to Evelyn, Rose, and Walter as well as to Max, they having heard nothing of it before. There was a moment of surprised silence, broken by Rosie:
"Well, you may as well give up. Grandpa is not to be conquered, as I knew when the contest began."
Max and Evelyn were looking much distressed.