"
All three of his children turned toward her with eager, questioning looks,
Max and Lulu asking, "Didn't papa write to us, too?"
"He sends you a message, dears," Violet said. "I have not really read the
letter yet, but shall do so after supper, and you shall all surely have
your share of it."
On leaving the table they followed her to the door of her boudoir.
"May we come in, Mamma Vi?" Max asked, with a wistful look.
"Certainly," she answered in a pleasant tone, though longing to be quite
alone while giving her precious letter its first perusal; "I would have
you feel as free to come into my apartments as I always have felt to go
into mamma's. Sit down and make yourselves comfortable, dears, and you
shall hear presently what your papa says.
"The letter was written on shipboard, brought into New York by another
vessel and there mailed to me."
Max politely drew up a chair near the light for Violet, another for Lulu,
placed Gracie's own little rocker close to her mamma's side, then stood
behind it prepared to give close attention to the reading of his father's
letter.
Violet omitted a little here and there--expressions of tender affection
for herself, or something else evidently intended for her eye alone.
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