CHAPTER XV.
Grace had gone over to Fairview with her little brother and sister, accompanied by their nurse, Mamma Vi having told her she might learn her lessons there, and if Evelyn cared to hear her recite, that would answer very well.
Evelyn was entirely willing, and they had just finished a few minutes before the carriage from Woodburn came driving up the avenue, bringing Grace's father and sister Lulu.
They had already paid a call at Ion, and now had come to make a short one at Fairview, and pick up Gracie, little Elsie, and Ned.
"Papa, papa!" shouted the two little ones, running to meet him as he came up the steps into the veranda, and holding up their faces for a kiss.
"Papa's darlings!" he responded, taking them in his arms to caress and fondle them, then letting them go to give Gracie her turn.
"Is my feeble little girl quite well this morning ?" he asked, in tender tones.
"Yes, papa, thank you," she replied, giving him a vigorous hug, "and oh, so glad to see you! Have you come to take us--Elsie and Ned and me--home for a while again ?" "I have," he said, returning her hug.

"I can't have your mamma at present, as her mother needs her, but my dear babies I need not do without." "Am I one of them, papa ?" asked Gracie, with a smile.

"I'm almost eleven; but I don't mind being one of your babies, if you like to call me that." His only reply was a smile and a loving pat on her cheek, for the two little ones were tugging at his coat and coaxing for a drive.
"Why, Elsie and Ned, you haven't kissed me yet," said Lulu.

"Gracie and Eva did while you were exchanging hugs and kisses with papa, and I think it's my turn now." "So it is! I love you, Lu," cried Elsie, leaving her father for a moment to throw her arms round Lulu's neck in a hearty and loving embrace; Ned quickly followed suit, then running to his father again, renewed his request for a drive in the carriage.
"Yes, my son, you shall have it presently," said the captain; then he proposed to Evelyn that she and her two little cousins should join the party for a short drive in another direction, before he would take his own children home to Woodburn.
His invitation was joyfully accepted and in a few minutes they had all crowded into the captain's carriage and were driving down the avenue.
The little ones were very merry, and the captain did not check their mirth.

He was, in fact, in very good spirits himself, because thus far Grandma Elsie's cure had progressed so favorably.