Elsie's Vacation and After Events eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 239 pages of information about Elsie's Vacation and After Events.

Elsie's Vacation and After Events eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 239 pages of information about Elsie's Vacation and After Events.

“Really, now, Lu, I think your father has succeeded fairly well at the business,” laughed Violet.  “I doubt if anybody else would have done better.”

“Or half so well,” said Lulu; “and I am fully resolved to try to do credit to his training.”

“I think you had a letter from Max to-day, Levis?” remarked Violet inquiringly, “Dear fellow, I hope he was quite well at the time of writing?”

“Yes; and apparently in excellent spirits.  He seems to be doing well in his studies; content with things as they are too, though evidently feeling that he would greatly enjoy being here with the rest of us.”

“Yes, poor, dear fellow!  I wish he could make one of our party; especially at Christmas time.”

“So do I,” said his father.  “We must make it up to him with as full an account as possible of the Christmas doings here.”

“I wonder what they will be,” said Lulu.

“We will have to consider and decide that question—­to some extent, at least—­after mamma comes,” replied Violet.

“And now we must go in and have prayers; for it is near bedtime for my eldest daughter,” remarked the captain, rising and taking Lulu’s hand in his.

The days flew by on swift wings, even to Lulu and Grace, so filled were they with duties and pleasures, and at length the time had come when Grandma Elsie and the others were expected by the evening boat.

Their arrival was anticipated with great delight by every one on the estate, and all possible preparations had been made for their comfort and to show how gladly welcome they were.  Everything indoors and out was in beautiful order, a feast of fat things ready in the kitchen, the families from the parsonage and Magnolia Hall were present by invitation, and as the hour drew near when the boat might be expected, all gathered at the wharf and eagerly watched for its appearance.

At length their patience was rewarded; the little steamer appeared in sight far down the bayou, came puffing along past the orange orchard, and rounded to at the landing.

In another moment the travelers were on shore:  Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore, Grandma Elsie, Rosie, Walter, and—­could Lulu believe her eyes—­yes, there was Evelyn!  It could be no one else; and with a cry of joy the two little girls ran into each other’s arms.

“Oh, Eva, Eva, I’m so glad!  I hadn’t the least idea that you were coming too!” cried Lulu, fairly wild with delight.

“Ah, papa, you must have known and kept it a secret from me to give me such a glad surprise,” she exclaimed, as she caught sight of his face and noted the pleased smile with which he was regarding her.

“Yes, daughter, I knew and planned, with Mamma Vi and the others, to give you this pleasant surprise,” he said, bending down to bestow a paternal kiss upon the gentle, fatherless girl who had won so large a place in the heart of his own dear child.

“And we were all very glad to have Eva along,” Rosie said.  “And, O Lu, I’m looking for very good times this coming winter here in our lovely Viamede, and with your father here I know it will be pleasanter than ever for you—­pleasanter for all of us; for, Brother Levis, I hear that I am to be your pupil instead of Professor Manton’s; a change which I haven’t a doubt I shall enjoy extremely.”

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Elsie's Vacation and After Events from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.