“Thank you, dear,” returned Violet, happy tears glistening in her eyes; “if I am, it is because I love you for both your own and your father’s sake.”

She knew his heart always rejoiced in every demonstration of affection from his children toward her, and in the letter she presently began writing she recounted all that had been shown her that evening, and also others carefully treasured up in her memory for that purpose.

CHAPTER IX.

“The sober comfort, all the peace which springs
From the large aggregate of little things,
On these small cares of—­daughter—­wife—­or friend,
The almost sacred joys of home depend.” 

          
                                              —­Hannah More.

Mrs. Elsie Travilla and her family were greatly beloved in their own neighborhood, and as there had been no opportunity hitherto for showing attention to the three young married ladies, or any one of them, there was quite an influx of callers for a week or two after the return to Ion, and these calls were presently succeeded by a round of dinner and evening parties given in their honor.

The death of Mr. Love having occurred within the year, Zoe, of course, declined all such invitations; and it was only occasionally that Edward could be persuaded to go without her.

Violet accepted when it would have been deemed impolite or unkind to decline, but scarcely yet more than a bride, she felt a trifle forlorn going into society without her husband, and much preferred the quiet and seclusion of home.

This was to the advantage of the children, Max and Lulu thereby gaining much assistance with their evening studies, Gracie a great deal of motherly care and petting.

So the duty of representing the family at these social gatherings devolved largely upon Lester and Elsie Leland, who laughingly declared themselves martyrs to the social reputation of the family.

“A very nice way to be martyred, I think,” said Rosie.  “I only wish they’d have the politeness to include me in their invitations.”

“It would do you little good,” remarked Mr. Dinsmore, “since you would not be allowed to accept.”

“Are you quite sure, grandpa, that mamma wouldn’t allow it?” she asked, with an arch look up into his face.

“Quite; since she never allows anything which I do not approve.”

“Well,” Rosie said, seating herself upon his knee and putting an arm around his neck, “I believe it isn’t worth while to fret about it, since, as I’m not invited, I couldn’t go any how.”

“A sensible conclusion,” he returned laughingly.  “Fretting is an unprofitable business at any time.”

“Ordinarily I should be very much of Rosie’s opinion,” Zoe said aside to her husband, “for I was always fond of parties; but of course, just now I couldn’t take the least pleasure in them,” and she hastily brushed away a tear.