“Yes, dear,” said Mr. Maynard, looking fondly at his impetuous daughter; “I’ll think about it right now,—­and I’ll express my thoughts aloud, as I think them.  I think, first, that you’re a generous and kind-hearted little girl to want to give this poor child a home.  And I think next, that having made your suggestion, you must leave it to Mother and me to decide the matter.  And our decision is that four children are quite enough for this family, and we don’t want to adopt any more!  Besides this, Marjorie, it is far from likely that the little girl would be allowed to come to us.  She is being trained for her profession, and though I feel sorry that the child is not happy, yet she is with her own people, and they are responsible for the shaping of her life and career.  Just now, you are carried away by sympathy for the little girl, and I don’t blame you at all, for it is a sad case.  But you must trust your father’s judgment, when he tells you that he does not think it wise to follow out your suggestion.”

Marjorie looked disappointed, but she well knew that when her father talked thus seriously, there was no use in pursuing the subject; so she only said, “All right, Father; I know you know best.  But it does seem too bad for Vivian not to have any home pleasures, when I have so many!”

“It does seem too bad, Marjorie, but since you can’t help her in any way, turn your thoughts to feeling glad and grateful that you yourself have a happy home, and can wear button boots.”

Marjorie laughed at her father’s last words, but she knew that “button boots” stood for the civilized dress of the home-child, as contrasted with the stage trappings of the little Vivian.

So she put the photograph away among her treasures, and often looked at it, and wondered if Vivian still longed for the sort of happy home-life that meant so much to Marjorie.

CHAPTER XVIII

IN BOSTON

The next day the Maynards started for Boston.  That is, their destination was Boston, but Mr. and Mrs. Maynard had decided to go by very short stages, and stop several times on the way.

And so they spent one night at New London, two or three more at Newport and Narragansett Pier, and so on to Boston.

It was too early in the season for the summer crowds at the watering places, but though the gay life was absent, they enjoyed their stay at each place.

It was all so novel to the children that the days passed like a swiftly moving panorama, and they went from one scene to another, always sure of experiencing some new pleasure.

* * * * *

One warm and pleasant afternoon the big car swung into Boston, and deposited its occupants at a pleasant hotel on a broad and beautiful avenue.

As Mr. Maynard registered at the office, the clerk handed him a budget of mail.  It was not unusual for him to find letters awaiting him at the various hotels, but this time there were also four post-cards for the children.