“Yes, Aunt Elsie, thank you; it is very sweet and comforting to know and remember all that.

“And He has given me such a good home with you and uncle; and everybody is so kind to me, I ought to be happy; and I am most of the time, but now and then such a longing for papa comes over me that I am compelled to go away by myself and indulge my grief for a little.  Do you think it is wrong to do so?”

“No, dear, Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus, and did not rebuke the sisters for indulging their grief, so I cannot believe our kind heavenly Father would forbid us the relief of tears.”

The conversation gradually drifted to other themes, and when Lulu joined them they were talking of the studies Evelyn should pursue at Oakdale.

Lulu made her communication; then she and Evelyn went into the house to dress for dinner and the drive which was to be taken immediately after.

Each rejoiced that they were to be together in this new experience, and they were greatly pleased when, having examined them in their studies, Professor Manton assigned them to the same classes and to adjoining desks.

They were pleased, too, with Oakdale.  It had been a very fine place before the war, the residence of a family of wealth and standing; and though now in a measure fallen into decay, was still an attractive spot, not destitute of beauty.

The rooms appointed to study and recitation were of good size, airy, and well lighted; with a pleasant outlook—­here upon lawn and lakelet, there on garden, shrubbery, or orange orchard.

“I think it is a beautiful place for a school,” Lulu remarked as they were on their homeward way; “we shall enjoy wandering around the grounds, or sitting under the trees on the lawn, at recess.”

“Or having a game of ball,” said Max.

“Do you like Professor Manton, Eva?” asked Lulu, with a look of disgust as she mentioned his name.

“I don’t know him yet,” Evelyn replied, half smiling.  “I intend to try to like him.”

“I don’t!” cried Lulu with vehemence; “he’s too pompous and too—­what is it?”

“Fawning,” supplied Max.  “I’m just certain he has heard that Grandpa Dinsmore and Grandma Elsie are very rich, and I guess he thinks we are their own grandchildren.”

“Perhaps it is just as well, if it will make him treat you all the better,” remarked Rosie; “therefore I shall not enlighten him.  I have formed the same opinion of him that you and Lulu have, Max.”

“But don’t let us judge him too hastily,” said Evelyn.  “Thinking ill of him will only make it hard to treat him with the respect we should while we are his pupils.”

“Very sage advice, Miss Leland,” laughed Rosie.  “But seriously, I am sure you are quite right.”

“So am I,” said Max; “and I, for one, intend to try to behave and study exactly as if he were as worthy of respect as even Grandpa Dinsmore himself.”