"Good to myself, little woman," he said, smiling down at her; "it will turn a tiresome business trip into a pleasure excursion. I have always found my enjoyment doubled by the companionship of my better half."
"I call that rank heresy," she said laughing, "_you"re_ the better half as well as the bigger. I wish I were worthy of such a good husband," she added earnestly and with a look of loving admiration. "I"m very proud of you, my dear--so good and wise and handsome as you are!"
"Oh, hush, hush! such fulsome flattery," he returned, coloring and laughing. "Let me see; this is Friday, so near the end of the week that I do not care to leave home till next week. We will say Tuesday morning next, if that will suit you, love?"
"Nicely," she answered. "Oh, I"m so glad you have promised to take me with you!"
CHAPTER XXIII.
LULU.
Before two days had pa.s.sed Zoe was quite herself again, and as full of delight at the prospect of going away for a little trip as any child could have been. She wore so bright a face, was so merry and frolicsome, that it was a pleasure to watch her, especially when with her husband, and not aware that any other eye was upon her.
His face, too, beamed with happiness.
Elsie"s eyes resting upon them would sometimes fill with tears--half of joy in their felicity, half of sorrowful yet tender reminiscence. In his present mood Edward was very like his father in looks, in speech, in manner.
Tuesday morning came, bringing with it delightful weather; Edward had decided to take a later train than when starting before, because he would not have Zoe roused too soon from sleep.
They took breakfast with the family at the usual hour, an open barouche waiting for them at the door; then with a gay good-by to all set out upon their journey, driving to the nearest station, and there taking the cars.
"I wish I was going, too!" sighed Lulu, as she and Rosie stood looking after the barouche.
"Mamma would have let us drive over to the station with them," said Rose; "Edward asked if we might, but Ben had some errands to do in town, and couldn"t bring us back in time for lessons."
"Lessons! I"m sick and tired of them!" grumbled Lulu. "Other children had holidays last week, but we had to go right on studying."
"But we are to take ours in a week or two, visiting at the Oaks and the Laurels, perhaps two weeks at each place, and I"m sure that will be nicer than to have had Easter holidays at home."
"There, it"s out of sight," said Lulu. "I"d like to be Aunt Zoe, just starting off on a journey. Let"s take a run down the avenue, Rosie."
"I would, but I must look over my Latin lesson, or I may not be ready for grandpa."
With the last words she turned and went into the house.
Lulu knew that she was not ready for Mr. Dinsmore either, but she was in no mood for study, and the grounds looked so inviting that she yielded to the temptation to take a ramble instead.
Max, from his window, saw her wandering about among the shrubs and flowers and longed to join her. He was bearing his punishment in a very good spirit, making no complaint, spending his time in study, reading, writing and carving.
Mr. Dinsmore came to him to hear his recitations, and was always able to commend them as excellent. He treated the boy in a kind, fatherly manner, talking to him of his sin and the way to obtain forgiveness and deliverance from it, very much as Elsie and Violet had.
Yet he did not harp continually upon that, but dwelt often upon other themes, trying so to treat the lad that his self-respect might be restored.
Max appreciated the kindness shown him, and was strengthened in his good resolutions. He was privately very much troubled about his losses, particularly that of the watch, supposing it to be in Ralph"s possession, for Mr. Dinsmore had said nothing to him on the subject.
Being very fond of his sisters, Max felt the separation from them no small part of his punishment; he followed Lulu"s movements this morning with wistful eyes.
She looked up, and seeing his rather pale, sad face at the window, drew nearer and called softly to him, "Max, how are you? I"m so sorry for you."
He only shook his head and turned away.
Then Mr. Dinsmore"s voice spoke sternly from a lower window, "Lulu, you are disobeying orders. Go into the house and to the school-room immediately. You ought to have been there fully a quarter of an hour ago."
Lulu was a little frightened, and obeyed at once.
"You are late, Lulu. You must try to be more punctual in future," Elsie said in a tone of mild rebuke, as the little girl sat down at her desk.
"I don"t care if I am," she muttered, insolently.
Rose darted at her a look of angry astonishment, Gracie looked shocked, and little Walter said, "It"s very, _very_ naughty to speak so to my mamma."
But Elsie did not seem to have heard; her face still wore its usual sweet, placid expression. Lulu thought she had not heard, but found out her mistake when she went forward to recite. She was told in a gentle, quiet tone, "You are not my pupil, to-day, Lulu," and returned to her seat overwhelmed with embarra.s.sment and anger.
No further notice was taken of her by any one excerpt Gracie, who now and then stole a troubled, half-pitying look at her, until Mr Dinsmore came to hear the Latin lessons.
Lulu had sat idly at her desk nursing her anger and discontent, her eyes on the book open before her, but her thoughts elsewhere, so was not prepared for him.
She was frightened, but tried to hide it, made an attempt to answer the first question put to her, but broke down in confusion.
He asked another; she was unable to answer it; and with a frown he said, "I perceive that you know nothing about your lesson to-day. Why have you not learned it?"
"Because I didn"t want to," muttered the delinquent.
Rosie opened her eyes wide in astonishment. She would never have dared to answer her grandfather in that manner.
"Take your book and learn it now," he said in his sternest tone.
Lulu did not venture to disobey, for she was really very much afraid of Mr. Dinsmore.
He heard Rosie"s lesson, a.s.signed her task for the next day, and both left the room. The others had gone about the time Mr. Dinsmore came in, so Lulu was left alone.
She thought it best to give her mind to the lesson, and in half an hour felt that she was fully prepared with it.
But Mr. Dinsmore did not come back, and she dared not leave the room, though very impatient to do so.
The dinner bell rang, and still he had not come.
Lulu was hungry and began to fear that she was to be made to fast; but at length a servant brought her a good, substantial, though plain dinner, set it before her, and silently withdrew.
"It"s not half as good as they"ve got," Lulu remarked half aloud to herself, discontentedly eying her fare, "but it"s better than nothing."
With that philosophical reflection she fell to work, and speedily emptied the dishes.
Mr. Dinsmore came to her shortly after, heard the lesson, gave her a little serious talk and dismissed her.