“Mammy,” Violet said as she turned to leave the room, “I’m afraid you are not able to take the care of her through the night.”

“Yes, I is, honey darlin’,” responded the old woman with warmth.  “I’ll hab a quilt spread down dar on de flo’, and I’ll lie dar an’ sleep, an’ ef de chile stirs I’ll wake right up and gib her eberyting she wants.”

“Mamma Vi, don’t you want to see my room?” Lulu asked as they neared its door.  “I think it is ever so pretty.”

“So it is,” Violet said, stepping inside with her, “and I am very glad you like it.  If you think of anything else you want in it, don’t hesitate to ask for it; both your papa and I wish to do all in our power to make his children happy.”

“Thank you.  Oh, it is so nice to have a new mamma! such a sweet, kind one,” Lulu exclaimed with impulsive warmth, setting down her candle and throwing her arms about Violet’s neck.

“Dear child!” Violet said, returning the embrace, “I am very glad you are beginning to love me.  I hope we shall all love each other better every day and be very happy together.  You won’t forget to ask God’s protection before you sleep, and thank him for his love and care?  What a mercy that we met with no accident on our journey!”

“Yes, indeed! and I won’t forget to say my prayers, Mamma Vi.”

They exchanged an affectionate good-night, and Violet went to her own room.

Agnes was there, waiting to assist her in disrobing, to take down her hair, and put things in place.

As the maid withdrew, her duty finished, Elsie came softly in.

“Dearest mamma!” cried Vi joyously, “I am so glad you have come!  I thought you would.”

“Yes, daughter, I have just seen Rosie and Walter in bed, and could not deny myself the pleasure of one of the old-time private talks with my dear Vi.  Ah, you don’t know how I have missed them ever since Capt.  Raymond carried you away from Ion!”

They were standing together with their arms about each other.

“Mamma,” Violet said with an earnest, tenderly affectionate look into her mother’s face, “how very beautiful you are! and how youthful in appearance! there is not a line in your face, not a silver thread in your hair, and it still has that exquisite golden tinge it has had ever since I can remember.”

“Ah, dear child! we can see many beauties in those we love that are imperceptible to other eyes,” Elsie returned with a quiet smile.

“But, mamma, every one sees you to be both young and beautiful in looks.  You look far too young to be addressed as grandma by Max and Lulu, or even Gracie.  I wish you would not allow it, but let them call you auntie.”

“It does not make me really any older, or even to feel or look so,” the mother said, with a low silvery laugh of amusement at Violet’s earnestness.

“But I don’t like it, dear mamma.”

“Then I am sorry I gave them permission; yet having done so, I do not like to recall it.  But, daughter dear, old age will come to us all, if we live, and it is quite useless to fight against the inevitable.”