Captain Raymond’s share of the mail had included some business letters, and he called upon Lucilla to use her typewriter in preparing his replies, which she did promptly and cheerfully.

“Thank you, daughter,” he said when they had finished, “you and your typewriter make my correspondence far less burdensome than it would be otherwise.”

“I am so glad, papa! so glad that I can be of at least a little help to you,” she said joyously.  “It is such a privilege, and such a pleasure!”

“Dear child!” he said in response.  Then, as the sound of wheels on the drive without came to their ears, “Ah! our guests are beginning to arrive, and we must go out and bid them welcome.”

Several carriage loads were already there, and others quickly followed till, in a very short time, all the expected relatives were present.

Then mirth and jollity ruled the hour, all—­old and young—­seeming in gayest spirits and ready to join in any amusement that might be proposed.  Mr. and Mrs. Croly were among the guests.  She had gained so materially in health and strength that she was able—­resting in an easy-chair upon the veranda—­to watch the sports of the younger and healthier ones with interest and enjoyment; and to converse with one and another as they came in turn to chat with her for a time.  At length, finding herself alone with Grandma Elsie for a while, she turned to her, saying in a sprightly way: 

“I am getting so much better under the skilful treatment of Dr. Conly that I ventured on quite a drive this morning, and we went to look at a little place, some ten or more acres in extent, about which your son Doctor Harold was telling us yesterday.  It is on the river bank, the lawn sloping down to the water, and it is hardly farther from Ion than this place.  It is for sale.  The house is small, but pretty, and could easily be added to, and so made as large as one might wish.”

“Riverside is the name of the estate?” Mrs. Travilla said inquiringly.

“Yes; a pretty one we both—­Mr. Croly and I—­think, and we have about decided to buy it and enlarge and beautify the dwelling for our children,—­our son and your daughter,—­if you think that would please dear Rosie.”

“I think it could not fail to do so,” Mrs. Travilla replied, her eyes sparkling with pleasure.  “It will be a great pleasure to me to have our children so near, and I was thinking of making the purchase for them myself.  It was only this morning I learned that the place was for sale.”

“Ah!” laughed Mrs. Croly, “don’t try to get ahead of us.  We want the place ourselves, and it won’t hurt the young folks to wait for it till we are gone; especially as we intend it to be as much a home for them immediately as if they were sole proprietors.”

“And they will enjoy it all the more for having their kind parents with them,” was Mrs. Travilla’s pleased response.

Then they fell to talking of alterations and additions to the dwelling, and plans for furnishing and decorating it and the grounds.