"How are you, dears? I am very glad to see you again," she said, smiling
sweetly and holding out her pretty white hand.
Gracie sprang forward with a little joyful cry. "O mamma, my dear, sweet,
pretty mamma! I am so glad to get back to you!" and threw her arms about
Violet's neck.
Violet's arm was instantly around the child's waist; she kissed her
tenderly two or three times, then said, looking down at the sleeping babe,
"This is your little sister, Gracie."
"Oh, the darling, wee, pretty pet!" exclaimed Gracie, bending over it.
"Mamma, I'm so glad, if--if----" She stopped in confusion, while Lulu,
standing back a little, threw an angry glance at her.
"If what, dear?" asked Violet.
"If you and papa will love me and all of us just as well," stammered the
little girl, growing very red, and her eyes filling with tears.
"Dear child," Violet said, drawing her to her side with another tender
caress, "you need not doubt it for a moment."
"Why, Gracie, what could have put such a notion into your head?'" said
Max. "Mamma Vi, may I kiss you and it, too?" with an affectionate glance
at her, then a gaze of smiling curiosity at the babe.
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