“But you may as well get it over,” said Max:  “you’ll have to see them all sometime.”

“You don’t care a bit, do you?” she said, in a hurt tone.

“Yes, I do; I’m right sorry for you; but I can’t help your having to meet them sooner or later.”

“But I’m afraid I won’t be welcome to aunt Elsie.  What if she should tell me to go out of the house, she didn’t want such a bad girl there?”

“She isn’t that kind of person,” said Max.  “But here comes Eva,” as the little girl came tripping down the avenue to meet them.

She shook hands with Max, then threw her arms round Lulu, and kissed her.

“O Eva!  I’m ’most ashamed to look at you,” murmured Lulu, half averting her blushing face.  “I shouldn’t think you’d want me for your friend any more.”

“I do, though:  I love you dearly, and should have gone to your room yesterday if your papa had not refused to allow it,” responded Evelyn, repeating her caress.  “Come in and rest, both of you:  aunt Elsie told me to ask you.”

“I’m not sure that papa meant to give me permission to go into the house,” said Lulu, hanging back.

“No,—­come to think of it,—­I don’t believe he did,” said Max.  “Besides, it must be pretty near school-time; so if you are ready, Eva, and want to walk, we’ll start back directly, and be glad to take you with us.”

“Yes, I prefer to walk,” she said:  “I’ll be ready in five minutes, and glad to have your company.”

Mrs. Leland was on the veranda.

“Won’t they come in?” she asked of Evelyn, as the child came hurrying up the steps.

“No, auntie:  Lu is not quite certain that her papa gave her permission.”

“Then, I’ll go to them.”

Lulu’s eyes were on the ground, her cheeks hot with blushes, as Mrs. Leland drew near the rustic bench on which she and Max had seated themselves.

“Good-morning, my dears:  I am sorry you cannot come in and sit a while,” was her pleasant greeting.  Then she shook hands with Max and kissed Lulu.

“I heard you were not well yesterday, Lulu:  I hope you feel quite so this morning?”

“Yes, ma’am, thank you.”

“I heard from Ion before breakfast, and am delighted that baby is still improving, as, no doubt, you are, both of you.”

“Yes, indeed!” exclaimed Max.

“And I am gladder than words can tell,” said Lulu, a tear rolling quickly down her cheek.  “Aunt Elsie, I do love her!  I think she is the nicest, sweetest baby I ever saw.”

“Yes, my dear; and I have no doubt you intend to be the best of sisters to her.”

“Oh, I do!  I can’t ever make up to her for—­for hurting her so, though I did not mean to do it.”

“Of course not:  you couldn’t be so cruel toward any baby, but especially your own sweet little sister,” was the gentle, sweet-toned reply.  “I am rejoiced, especially for you, my dears, and for your mamma, that your father is going to settle down here; for I know it will add greatly to your happiness, he is such a good husband and father, and you will so enjoy having a home of your own.”