Oh, we all do have such good times now, at home in our father's house, with him to take care of us!" "Yes, I'm sure you do, and I'm so glad for you.

How happy you all seem! and how brave you are about bearing pain, dear Lu! You are so bright and cheerful, though I'm sure your fingers must ache.

Don't they ?" "Yes, some; but I don't mind it very much and they'll soon be well." Just then they were joined by several of the other little girls, all anxious to see Lulu and learn whether she were really badly hurt.
They crowded round her with eager questions and many expressions of sympathy first, then of delight in finding her so cheerful and suffering so little.
The next thing was to plan indoor amusements for the afternoon and evening, as evidently the storm had put outdoor pleasures out of the question for that day.
The call to dinner interrupted them in the midst of their talk; a not unwelcome summons, for exercise in the bracing winter air had given them keen appetites.
Some of the younger ones, who had particularly enjoyed the skating, felt a good deal disappointed that the storm had come to put a stop to it, and were in consequence quite sober and subdued in their demeanor as they took their seats at the table.
A moment of complete silence followed the asking of the blessing, then, as Edward took up a carving-knife, and stuck the fork into a roast duck in front of him, there was a loud "Quack, quack," that startled everybody for an instant, followed by merry peals of laughter from old and young.
A loud squeal came next from a young pig in a dish placed before Mr.
Dinsmore, and the song of the blackbird from a pie Grandma Elsie was beginning to help.
"'Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie,'" remarked Mr.Lilburn gravely.
"'When the pie was opened the birds began to sing, Wasn't that a dainty dish to set before a king ?' "Ah ha! um h'm! ah ha! history repeats itself.

But, Cousin Elsie, I didna expect to be treated to a meal o' livin' creatures in your house." "Did you not ?" she returned with a smile.

"Life is full of surprises." "And grandpa and Ned go on carving without any apparent thought of the cruelty of cutting into living creatures," laughed Zoe.
"And what a singular circumstance that chickens baked in a pie should sing like blackbirds," remarked Grandma Elsie.
"Very indeed!" said Capt.Raymond.