“One who hopes you will never tire of his company, as he never expects to of yours,” returned Edward, catching her in his arms and snatching a kiss from her full red lips.

“Now don’t,” she said, pushing him away, “just wait till I’ve washed the dust from my face.  Here come our trunks,” as two of the men servants brought them in, “and you must tell me what dress to put on.”

“You look so lovely in any and every one of the dozen or more that I have small choice in the matter,” laughed the young husband.

“What gross flattery!” she exclaimed.  “Well, then, I suppose I’ll have to choose for myself.  But you mustn’t complain if I do that some time when you don’t want me to.”

The two Elsies had lingered a little behind the others—­the old servants had so many words of welcome to say to them—­the younger one in especial, because she had been so far and so long away.

And the babe must be handed about from one to another, kissed and blessed and remarked upon as to his real or fancied resemblance to this or that older member of the family.

“It do ’pear pow’ful strange, Miss Elsie, dat you went away young lady and come back wid husband and baby,” remarked Aunt Dicey.  “And it don’t seem but yistiday dat you was a little bit ob a gal.”

“Yes, I have come back a great deal richer than I went,” Elsie returned, with a glance of mingled love and joy, first at her husband, then at her infant son.  “I have great reason to be thankful.”

At that moment Mrs. Travilla became aware that Max and Lulu were lingering near, as if not knowing exactly what to do with themselves.

“Ah, my dears,” she said, turning to them with a kind and pleasant look, “has no one attended to you?  Come with me, and I will show you your rooms.”

They followed her up the stairs, and each was shown into a very pleasant room furnished tastefully and with every comfort and convenience.

Lulu’s had two doors, one opening into the hall, the other into her mamma’s bedroom.

Elsie explained this, adding, “So, if you are in want of anything or should feel frightened or lonely in the night, you can run right in to the room where you will find your mamma and Gracie.”

“Yes, ma’am, that is very nice; and oh, what a pretty room!  How kind and good you are to me! and to my brother and sister, too!” cried Lulu, her eyes shining with gratitude and pleasure.

“I am very glad to be able to do it,” Elsie said, taking the little girl’s hand in one of hers and smoothing her hair caressingly with the other—­for Lulu had taken off her hat.  “I want to be a mother to you, dear child, and to your brother and sister, since my dear daughter is too young for so great care and responsibility.  I love you all, and I want you to come freely to me with all your troubles and perplexities, your joys and sorrows, just as my own children have always done.  I want you to feel that you have a right to do so, because I have invited you.”