"
"I don't want to, papa, I----" she began; but he silenced her with a look.
"Bid good-night to our friends and come," he said. "You also, Max."
Max, though surprised at the order, obeyed with cheerful alacrity in
strong contrast to Lulu's sullen and reluctant compliance, which said as
plainly as words that she would rebel if she dared.
"I don't see why papa makes us come away so soon," she grumbled to her
brother in an undertone, as they passed from one cottage to the other,
their father a little in advance.
"He must have some good reason," said Max, "and I for one am willing
enough to obey him, seeing it's such a little while I'll have the chance."
They had now reached the veranda of their own cottage.
"Come in quickly out of this cold wind, children," their father said; then
as he closed the outer door after them, "Run into the parlor and get
thoroughly warm before going up to your rooms."
He sat down by the stove with Grace on his knee, and bade the other two
draw up close to it and him, one on each side. And when they had done so,
"My three dear children," he said in tender tones, glancing from one to
another, "no words can tell how much I love you.
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