Hugs and kisses and laughter followed; so glad were the happy children to meet again after even so short a separation.
In another minute the carriage drew up before the entrance to the mansion, and the captain and his joyous little troop alighted.

Dinner was ready to be served, and as soon as hats and other outer garments had been disposed of the merry little party gathered about the table.

Mamma was missed but it was very pleasant to all to find themselves there with their fond father and each other.

Lulu's fears for dear Grandma Elsie had been much relieved by the report of the success of the surgeons, so that she was light-hearted and gay as well as the younger ones.
Immediately after dinner, while the little ones took their accustomed afternoon nap, she recited her lessons, doing so in a manner that drew hearty commendation from her father, who was always glad to be able to bestow it; then, knowing it would be a joy to her to do them, he called upon her for some of the little services she was accustomed to render him.
These attended to, "Now, daughter," he said, "you may dress yourself nicely for a drive.

I am going to take you and your little brother and sisters for a pretty long one.