“And papa says just the same,” added a pleasant, manly voice from the door, as Mr. Travilla came in, closing it after him.

Then the three young voices joined in a glad chorus, “Papa! papa! good-morning, dear papa.”

“Good-morning, papa’s dear pets,” he said, putting his arms round all three at once, as they clustered about him, and returning with interest their affectionate caresses.

“And so you have already been teasing poor mamma for stories?”

“Did we tease and trouble you, mamma?” asked Elsie, a little remorsefully, going back to her mother’s side.

“No, darling; it always gives me pleasure to gratify my dear children.  And, papa, they have been very good.”

“I am glad to hear it.”

“Mamma and papa, may we go down and play by that brook after breakfast?” asked Elsie.

“And wade in the water like mamma did when she was a little girl?” added Eddie.

“Yes, with Uncle Joe and Aunt Chloe to take care of you; if mamma is willing,” answered their father.

Mamma said yes, too, and made the little hearts quite happy.

They returned to the window, and presently sent up a joyous shout.  “Grandpa, our dear grandpa, is coming!”

“Shall I go down and bring him up here, mamma?” asked Elsie.

“No, dear, we will go down to grandpa, and not trouble him to come up.  Besides, Aunt Adelaide wants to see him as well as we.”

“Yes, mamma’s plan is the best,” said Mr. Travilla, giving Elsie one hand and Eddie the other, while his wife led the way with little Violet.

They found Mr. Dinsmore in the lower hall, with Adelaide weeping almost hysterically in his arms.

“You are the only brother I have left,” she sobbed.  “Poor, poor dear Walter and Arthur!  Oh, that dreadful, dreadful war!”

He caressed and soothed her with tender words.  “Dear sister, I will do all I can to make up their loss to you.  And our father is left us; your husband spared, too.  And let us not forget that almighty Friend, that Elder Brother on the throne, who will never leave or forsake the feeblest one who trusts in Him.”

“Oh, yes, I know, I know!  He has been very good to me; but I must weep for the dear ones gone——­”

“And He will not chide you—­He who wept with Martha and Mary over their dead brother.”

The children were awed into silence and stillness by the scene; but as Adelaide withdrew herself from her brother’s arms, while he and her husband grasped each other by the hand in a cordial greeting, little Elsie drew near her, and taking gently hold of her hand, dropped upon it a kiss and a sympathizing tear.

“Darling!” said Adelaide, stooping to fold the child in her arms; then looking up at her niece, “What a wonderful likeness, Elsie!  I can hardly believe it is not yourself, restored to us as you were at her age.”

The morning greetings were soon exchanged, and Adelaide led the way to her pleasant sitting-room.