"Yes," Elsie said, leading the way down the hall and up the stairs. Then as they reached the upper hall, "Come this way, my dears, I have something to show you."
She led them to the nursery; to the side of a dainty crib; and pushing aside its curtains of lace, brought to view a little downy head and pink face nestling cosily upon the soft pillow within.
Zoe uttered an exclamation of astonishment and delight. "Why, mamma, where did you get it? Oh, the little lovely darling!" and down she went on her knees by the side of the crib, to make a closer inspection. "O Ned, just look! did you ever see anything half so dear and sweet?"
"Yes," he said, with a meaning, laughing look into her sparkling face. "I see something at this moment that to my eyes is dearer and sweeter still.
What does Vi think of it, mamma?" turning to his mother.
"She is very proud and happy," Elsie answered with a smile. "I believe Zoe has expressed her views exactly."
"It"s Vi"s, is it?" said Zoe. "Come, Ned, do look at it. You ought to care a little about your----"
She broke off with an inquiring glance up into her mother"s face.
"Niece," supplied Elsie, "my first granddaughter."
"Another Elsie, I suppose," Edward remarked, bending down to examine the little creature with an air of increasing interest.
"Her father must be heard from before the name can be decided upon," his mother answered. "Vi wishes it named for me, but I should prefer to have another Violet."
"I incline to think Captain Raymond will agree with her," said Edward.
"I never saw so young a baby," remarked Zoe. "How old is she, mamma?"
"A week to-day."
"I"m tempted to break the tenth commandment," said Zoe, leaning over the babe and touching her lips to its velvet cheek. "I used to be very fond of dolls, and a live one would be so nice. I almost wish it was mine."
"Don"t forget that you would be only half owner if it was," said Edward laughing. "But come now, my dear, it is time we were attending to the duties of the toilet. The tea-bell will ring directly."
"Well, I"ll always want to share everything I have with you," she said.
"Mamma," rising and putting her hand into her husband"s, "we"ve had _such_ a nice time! Ned has been _so_ good and kind to me!"
"And she has been the best and dearest of little wives," he said, returning the look of fond affection she had bent upon him, "so we could not fail to enjoy ourselves hugely."
"I am rejoiced to hear it," Elsie said, looking after them with glad tears in her eyes as they left the room together.
The children were enjoying themselves greatly at the Oaks. Horace Dinsmore, Jr., and his young wife made a very pleasant host and hostess.
Horace"s reminiscences of his own childhood and his sister Elsie"s girlhood in this, her old home, were very interesting, not to Rosie and Walter only, but to the others.
They were shown her suite of rooms, the exact spot in the drawing-room where she stood during the ceremony that united her to Mr. Travilla, and the arbor--still called Elsie"s arbor--where he offered himself and was accepted.
They had an equally pleasant visit at the Laurels, whither they went directly from the Oaks, Gracie wondering why she was not permitted to go to see mamma first for a while, and grieving over it for a time.
They were not told what had taken place in their absence, until the day of their return to Ion.
Mrs. Dinsmore had driven over for them, and after an hour"s chat with her daughter, Mrs. Lacey, sent for the children, who were amusing themselves in the grounds.
"O grandma, good-morning! Did you come to take us home?" cried Rosie, as she came running in, put her arms about Mrs. Dinsmore"s neck, and held up her face for a kiss.
"Yes, dear child, and to bring you some news. Good-morning, Max, Lulu, Gracie, Walter--all of you--there"s a little stranger at Ion."
"A little stranger!" was the simultaneous exclamation from all five, Max adding, "What sort?" and Rosie, "Where from?"
"A very sweet, pretty little creature, I think; a little girl from "No Man"s Land,"" was the smiling reply. "A new little sister for you, Max, Lulu, and Gracie, a niece for Rosie and Walter."
Max looked pleased, though slightly puzzled, too; Gracie"s eyes shone, and the pink flush deepened on her cheeks, as she asked delightedly, "Is it a baby? Mamma"s baby?" but Lulu frowned and was silent.
"Yes, it is your mamma"s baby," replied Grandma Rose. "Would you like to go home and see it?"
All answered in the affirmative, except Lulu, who said nothing, and then hurried from the room to make ready.
"O Lu, aren"t you glad?" exclaimed Gracie, as they put on their hats.
"No!" snapped Lulu, "what is there to be glad about? It"ll steal all papa"s love away from us; Mamma Vi"s, too, of course, if she ever had any."
Gracie was shocked, "Lulu!" she said, just ready to cry, "how can you say such things? I just know nothing will ever make papa quit loving us. Can"t he love us and the new baby too? and can"t mamma?"
"Well, you"ll see!" returned Lulu wisely.
There was no time for anything more; the good-bys were said, they were helped into the Ion carriage, waiting at the door, and driven rapidly homeward.
During the drive Grandma Rose noticed that while the other children were merry and talkative, Lulu was silent and sullen, and Gracie apparently just ready to burst into tears.
She more than half suspected what the trouble was, but thought best to seem not to see that anything was amiss.
Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter were on the veranda waiting to welcome the little party on their arrival, and Rosie and Walter were well content to stay with their mother for a little, while the others pa.s.sed on up to Violet"s rooms.
They found her in her boudoir, seated in an easy-chair, beside a window overlooking the avenue, and with her baby on her lap.
She was looking very young, very sweet and beautiful, happy, too, though a shade of anxiety crossed her features as the children came in.
"How are you, dears? I am very glad to see you again," she said, smiling sweetly and holding out her pretty white hand.
Gracie sprang forward with a little joyful cry. "O mamma, my dear, sweet, pretty mamma! I am so glad to get back to you!" and threw her arms about Violet"s neck.
Violet"s arm was instantly around the child"s waist; she kissed her tenderly two or three times, then said, looking down at the sleeping babe, "This is your little sister, Gracie."
"Oh, the darling, wee, pretty pet!" exclaimed Gracie, bending over it.
"Mamma, I"m so glad, if--if----" She stopped in confusion, while Lulu, standing back a little, threw an angry glance at her.
"If what, dear?" asked Violet.
"If you and papa will love me and all of us just as well," stammered the little girl, growing very red, and her eyes filling with tears.
"Dear child," Violet said, drawing her to her side with another tender caress, "you need not doubt it for a moment."