He received her with a mortified, embarrassed air, but her kind, gentle
manner quickly restored his self-possession.
"I was sorry, indeed," she said, "to hear that our boy Max had become a
breaker of rules, and so caused us the loss of his society at the table
and in the parlor."
"I thought the loss was all on my side. Grandma Elsie," he returned with a
bright, pleased look. "I didn't suppose anybody would miss me
unpleasantly."
"Ah, you were quite mistaken in that; we are all fond of you, Max."
"Not Grandpa Dinsmore, I'm sure," he said, dropping his eyes and frowning.
"Why, Max, what else could induce him to give you a home here and be at
the trouble of teaching you every day?"
"I thought it was you who gave me a home, Grandma Elsie," Max said in a
softened tone, and with an affectionate look at her.
"This is my house," she said, "but my father is the head of the family,
and without his approval I should never have asked you and your sisters
here, much as I desire your happiness, and fond of you as I certainly am."
"You are very, very good to us!" he exclaimed with warmth; "you do so much
for us! I wish I could do something for you!"
"Do you, my dear boy?" she said, smiling and softly patting his hand,
which she had taken in hers; "then be respectful and obedient to my
father.
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