“Yes, it is your mamma’s baby,” replied Grandma Rose.  “Would you like to go home and see it?”

All answered in the affirmative, except Lulu, who said nothing, and then hurried from the room to make ready.

“O Lu, aren’t you glad?” exclaimed Gracie, as they put on their hats.

“No!” snapped Lulu, “what is there to be glad about?  It’ll steal all papa’s love away from us; Mamma Vi’s, too, of course, if she ever had any.”

Gracie was shocked, “Lulu!” she said, just ready to cry, “how can you say such things?  I just know nothing will ever make papa quit loving us.  Can’t he love us and the new baby too? and can’t mamma?”

“Well, you’ll see!” returned Lulu wisely.

There was no time for anything more; the good-bys were said, they were helped into the Ion carriage, waiting at the door, and driven rapidly homeward.

During the drive Grandma Rose noticed that while the other children were merry and talkative, Lulu was silent and sullen, and Gracie apparently just ready to burst into tears.

She more than half suspected what the trouble was, but thought best to seem not to see that anything was amiss.

Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter were on the veranda waiting to welcome the little party on their arrival, and Rosie and Walter were well content to stay with their mother for a little, while the others passed on up to Violet’s rooms.

They found her in her boudoir, seated in an easy-chair, beside a window overlooking the avenue, and with her baby on her lap.

She was looking very young, very sweet and beautiful, happy, too, though a shade of anxiety crossed her features as the children came in.

“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.

“Indeed, you may, Max,” Violet answered, offering her lips.