Elsie on the Hudson Part 27

"It is delightful to have you at home again, mother," Edward said as they drove off; "we have all been looking forward to your coming--from grandpa down to the babies that can hardly lisp your name."

"It is most pleasant to be so loved," she said with a joyful smile, "especially by those who are so dear as my father, children, and grandchildren are to me. Are all well at Fairview?"

"Yes, and looking forward, not to your return only, but to Evelyn's also. Lester was very busy, so asked me to bring her home to them; which I was very ready to do."

"And for which I feel very much obliged," said Evelyn. "I shall be very glad to get home, though I have had a delightful time while away."

They soon reached Fairview, and her welcome there was all she could desire. Grandma Elsie was warmly welcomed too, but did not alight.

She felt in much too great haste to see her father and the others at Ion.

On her arrival she found her daughter Rosie there also, and her presence added to the joy of the occasion.

Dinner was ready to be served, and Harold and Herbert had just come in from their professional rounds, so that the family reunion was almost complete. They missed Walter, but were glad to think of him as well, happy, and busied with his studies; and Elsie and Violet, though not just there, were near enough to be seen and conversed with almost any day. So it was altogether a cheerful and happy reunion, as was that of the family at Fairview.

Woodburn held no welcoming relatives for the Raymonds, but theirs was a glad home-coming, nevertheless. The grounds were in beautiful order, as was the dwelling under Christine's skilful management; and the dinner that awaited the returned travellers was abundant in quant.i.ty and variety, and the cooking such as might have found favor with an epicure.

"I think we are most fortunate people," said Violet as they sat at the table. "I know it isn't every family that can come home after weeks of absence to find everything in beautiful order and the table furnished with luxuries as is this one."

"Very true, my dear," said the captain; "we certainly have a great deal to be thankful for."

"Yes, papa, it is very pleasant to be at home again," said Elsie; "and when dinner is over mayn't we go all around and look at every one of the rooms, upstairs and down?"

"If you want to make the circuit of the house, I have no objection,"

he said.

"Yes, I do, papa," she answered. "I feel very much as if the rooms are old friends that I'm quite fond of."

"The schoolroom as well as the rest?" he asked with a look of amus.e.m.e.nt.

"Yes, indeed, papa, for you make lessons so pleasant that I'd be very, very sorry to be shut out of that room. Wouldn't you, Neddie?"

"Course I would," exclaimed Ned. "I love to be with papa, and I like the nice lessons. Papa often tells us a great deal that is very interesting."

"I am glad you think so," said his father. "We will visit the schoolroom, as well as the others, after we have finished our dinners."

"Will we have school to-morrow, papa?" asked Elsie.

"No; you may have the rest of the week for play, and we will begin lessons on Monday if nothing happens to prevent."

"We will take up our studies again, papa, just as the little ones do, will we not?" asked Lucilla.

"Meaning Grace and yourself, I suppose?" he said inquiringly, and with a look of amus.e.m.e.nt.

"Yes, sir; except Evelyn, we are your only other pupils just now."

"You can both begin when the younger ones do, if you like," he replied; and Grace said, "You may be quite sure we will like to do so, papa."

"Papa, when will Brother Max come home?" asked Ned.

"I think we may expect him about the last of next January," was the reply.

"And how soon does January come, papa?"

"This is October: November comes next, then December, and next after that is January."

"Oh, such a long while!" sighed Ned. "I want to see Max so badly that I don't know how to wait."

"Pretty much the way papa feels about it," returned his father.

"And as we all do," said Violet. "I wish the dear fellow had chosen work that could be done at home."

"But somebody must go into the navy, my dear," said his father. "A good navy is very necessary for the safety of the country."

"That is true," she returned; "and I know of no more honorable employment."

"And employment of some kind we all should have. I know of nothing more ign.o.ble than a life of idleness. It is sure to tempt to something worse. 'Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do.'"

"Yes," said Violet, "and the Bible bids us to be 'diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.'"

"And in the fourth commandment we are bidden, 'Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work.' It makes no exception; recognizes no privileged cla.s.s who may take their ease in idleness."

"Yet there are times when one is really weary, that rest is right, are there not?" said Violet. "I remember that at one time Jesus said to his disciples, 'Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while.'"

"Yes; there are times when rest is very necessary, and by taking it one is enabled to do more in the end."

"And we have just had a nice long rest," said Grace; "so ought to be able to go to work earnestly and make good progress in our studies."

"So I think," said Lucilla; then added laughingly, "and I'm glad father doesn't turn me out of the schoolroom because I've grown so big and old."

"You are still small enough, and young enough, to demean yourself as one under authority," remarked the captain in pleasant tones; "otherwise you would not be admitted to the schoolroom among my younger pupils."

Just then a rather discordant voice was heard calling, "Lu, Lu, what you 'bout? Polly wants a cracker."

"You shall have one presently, Polly," Lucilia answered.

"Oh, let's all go up there and see her," said Ned as they rose and left the table.

"Yes, we may as well begin there to make our circuit of the house,"

said his father; and they all hastened up the stairway to the apartments of Lucilla and Grace.

"I think Polly is glad to see us," said Elsie, as they stood for a moment watching her while she ate.

"A good deal more pleased to see and taste the cracker," said her father. "I doubt if parrots ever have much affection to bestow on anyone."

"Well, Polly," said Lulu, "n.o.body cares particularly for your affection; but in spite of your coldness and indifference, you shall have plenty to eat."

"Your rooms are in good order, daughters," said the captain, glancing about them. "I think Christine is an excellent housekeeper."

"So do I, father," said Lucilla. "We have only to unpack our trunks and put their contents in their proper places, and all will be as neat and orderly as before we left home."