They could hardly believe that the sounds which seemed to come from the mouths of the toy animals were really made by Cousin Ronald, and when assured that such was the case, thought him a most wonderful man.

Some of the guests departed that evening, but others remained over night; among them the Raymonds.

On Tuesday morning they went home to Woodburn taking Grandma Elsie, Rosie, Walter and Evelyn Leland with them.

Lulu had been sharing Evelyn’s room at Fairview, and now was to have the pleasure of returning the hospitality.

There were some preparations to be made for the entertainment of to-morrow’s guests, and the children were in a flutter of pleasurable excitement.

I could not tell you how much they enjoyed their share of the planning and arranging, and the consultations together and with the older people, or how kindly indulgent the captain was to their wishes and fancies, never saying them nay when it was within his power to grant their request.

Evelyn Leland loved to watch Lulu and Grace as they hung affectionately about their father, giving and receiving caresses and endearments; yet the sight often brought tears to her eyes—­calling up tender memories of the past.  She had not forgotten—­she never could forget the dear parent who had been won’t to lavish such caresses and endearments upon her, and at times her young heart ached with its longing to hear again the sound of his voice and feel the clasp of his arm, and his kisses upon cheek and lip and brow.

Yet life was gliding along very peacefully and happily with her, brightened by the love of kindred and friends, and she could join very heartily in the diversions and merriment of her companions.

Tea was over, the babies had had their romp with papa, brothers and sisters, and been carried off to the nursery, leaving the rest of the family—­the guests included—­in the pleasant library.

“Well, my dears, it has been a busy day with you,” remarked Grandma Elsie, smiling pleasantly upon the group of children, “but I presume your preparations for to-morrow’s sports are quite completed?”

“Yes, ma’am,” said Lulu.

“And we have some very good charades, mamma,” said Rosie, “and have arranged for some nice tableaux.”

“New ones?”

“New and old both,” answered Rosie and Lulu together.  “And oh, Grandma Elsie, we want another with you in it,” added Lulu, with eager entreaty in her tones.

“And why with me, my dear?” asked Mrs. Travilla, with a pleased little laugh, “are there not more than enough younger people to take part?”

“Oh there are plenty of us such as we are!” laughed Evelyn, “but we want all the beautiful people, so that the pictures will be beautiful.”

“You are coming out in a new character, Eva—­that of an adroit flatterer,” returned Grandma Elsie, with a look of amusement; “but I am not at all displeased, my dear child, because I credit it entirely to your affection, which I prize very highly,” she hastened to add, seeing that her words had called up a blush of painful embarrassment on Eva’s usually placid face.