"They are very fond of their father," remarked Zoe.
"Yes, as they have good reason to be," said Arthur: "he is a n.o.ble fellow, and one of the best of husbands and fathers."
"Did you hear any thing in particular about Lulu?" Zoe asked.
"No, I think not," he said reflectively; "nothing but that she, May, and Evelyn Leland were staying, by invitation, at Magnolia Hall.
"Ah, yes! I remember now that Betty told me there had been some trouble between uncle Horace and Lulu in regard to her taking lessons of a music-teacher whom she greatly disliked; that, because of her obstinate refusal, he had banished her from Viamede, entering her as a boarder at the academy the children were all attending; but that her distress of mind over the illness of her little sisters, and the sad report about her father, had led her to submit."
"Much to Vi"s relief, no doubt," remarked Edward. "Poor Vi! She is devotedly attached to her husband, but Lulu is a sore thorn in her side."
"I don"t believe she has ever acknowledged as much, or could be induced to," said Zoe.
"No," a.s.sented Edward; "but it is evident to those who know her well, nevertheless. She tries hard to conceal the fact, and has wonderful patience with the wilful pa.s.sionate child, really loving her for her father"s sake."
"And for her own, too, if I mistake not," Arthur said. "There is something quite lovable about Lulu, in spite of her very serious faults."
"There is," said Edward. "I have felt it strongly myself at times. She is warm-hearted, energetic, very generous, and remarkably straight-forward, truthful, and honest."
Dr. Conly had risen, as if to take leave.
"Now, cousin Arthur," said Zoe, "please sit down again; for we cannot let you leave us till after tea."
Edward seconded the invitation.
"Thank you both," Arthur said, "but"--
"But--no buts," interrupted Zoe gayly. "I know you were about to plead haste; but there is the tea-bell now, so you will not be delayed; for you have to take time for your meals."
"Then I accept," he said, "rejoicing in the opportunity to spend a little longer time in your very pleasant society."
CHAPTER IX.
"Here are a few of the unpleasantest words that ever blotted paper."
Edward and Zoe now began to look forward to the return of the family as a desirable event not very far in the future. They had been extremely happy in each other during almost the whole time of separation from the rest; but now they were hungering for a sight of "mamma"s sweet face,"
and would by no means object to a glimpse of those of grandparents, sisters, and children.
At length a letter was received, fixing the date of the intended departure from Viamede, and stating by what train the party would probably reach the neighboring village of Union, where carriages must be in readiness to receive and convey them to Ion.
And now Edward and Zoe began counting the days: the little matron put on more housewifely airs than was her wont, and was in great glee over her preparations for a grand reception and welcoming feast to the loved travellers.
She insisted on much cleaning and renovating, and on the day of the arrival robbed the green-houses and conservatories for the adornment of the house, the table, and her own person.
Edward laughingly a.s.serted that he was almost, if not quite, as much under her orders at that time as when left in her charge by the doctor, and could have no peace but in showing himself entirely submissive, and ready to carry out all her schemes and wishes.
Fairview also was getting ready to receive its master and mistress; but the indoor preparations there were overseen by Mrs. Lacey of the Laurels,--Edward"s aunt Rose.
It was the last of April: lovely spring weather had come, and the head gardeners and their subordinates of both places found much to do in making all trim and neat against the expected arrival of the respective owners; and of these matters Edward took a general oversight.
He and Zoe were up earlier than their wont on the morning of the long-looked-for day, wandering about the gardens before breakfast.
"How lovely every thing looks!" exclaimed Zoe, in delight. "I am sure mamma will be greatly pleased, and praise you to your heart"s content, Cuff," she added, turning to the gardener at work near by.
"Ya"as, Miss Zoe," he answered, with a broad grin of satisfaction; "dat"s what I"se been a workin" for, an" spects to hab sho", kase Miss Elsie, she doan" nebber grudge nuffin" in de way ob praise nor ob wages, when yo"s done yo" bes", ob co"se; an" dis chile done do dat, sho"s yo"
bawn."
"Yes, I"m sure you have, Cuff," said Edward kindly: "the flowers look very flourishing; there"s not a dead leaf or a weed to be seen anywhere; the walks are clean and smooth as a floor; nothing amiss anywhere, so far as I can perceive."
They moved on, walking slowly, and inspecting carefully as they went, yet finding nothing to mar their satisfaction.
They had reached the front of the house, and were about to go in, when a boy on horseback came cantering up the avenue, and handed a telegram to Edward.
Tearing it hastily open, "From grandpa," he said. "Ah! they will be here by the next train!"
"Half a day sooner than they or we expected," cried Zoe, half joyfully, half in dismay, struck with a momentary fear that her preparations could not be quite complete in season.
Edward hastened to re-a.s.sure her. "Altogether, good news, isn"t it?" he said. "We can be quite ready, I am sure, and will escape some hours of waiting; while they will gain time for rest and refreshment before the arrival of the family party who are to gather here from the Oaks, Roselands, the Laurels, and the Pines."
"Oh, yes, yes! it is ever so nice! and I"m as glad as I can be," she cried rapturously. "Now let us make haste to get our breakfast, and then attend to the finishing touches needed by the house and our own persons."
"Stay," said Edward, detaining her as she was starting up the steps into the veranda. "We should send word to Fairview, but it will be time enough after breakfast. Suppose we ride over there immediately upon leaving the table, and carry the news ourselves? The air and exercise will do you good."
"It would be very nice," she returned meditatively; "but I"m afraid I shall hardly have time."
"Yes, you will," he said. "You can give your orders, and let Christine and Aunt Dicey see them carried out."
"But I want my taste consulted in the arrangement of the flowers," she objected.
"Plenty of time for that after we get back," he said. "And I want your help in deciding whether every thing is exactly as it should be in the grounds at Fairview. Shall I order the horses?"
"Yes. I"ll go, of course, if you wish it, and enjoy it greatly, I know."
They were very gay over their breakfast and during their ride; for they were young, healthy, happy in each other; the morning air was delicious, and not a cloud was to be perceived in either the natural sky above their heads, or in that of their future; all was bright and joyous, and they seemed to have naught to do with sorrow or care, or any of the evils that oppressed the hearts and darkened the lives of many of their fellow-creatures.
Their tidings were received with joy by the retainers at Fairview, nearly every thing being in readiness for the reception of its master and mistress.
Edward and Zoe had agreed that it was not at all necessary to inform the expected guests of the evening of the change in the hour for the arrival of the home-coming party they intended to welcome.
"The meeting will be quite as early as antic.i.p.ated," remarked Edward; "and it will do no harm for mamma and the others to have a chance to rest a little before seeing so many."
"They will enjoy themselves all the better, I"m sure," said Zoe.
They were cantering homeward as they talked. Arrived there, Zoe set to work at the pleasant task of adorning the house--"mamma"s" boudoir in particular--with beautiful and sweet-scented flowers, and contrived to be delightfully busy in their arrangement till some little time after Edward had gone with the carriages to meet and bring home the travellers.