There would not be words enough to describe the feast that followed at Bobby’s house.  All the children wished to sit next to his grandfather, so that he had to change places at every course (all of which had candy interludes) and thus that mighty matter was accomplished to the entire satisfaction of the children.

And after supper Bobby’s grandfather played games with them and soon lost his worry lines, probably on the floor where he was playing horse or bear.  No one picked them up, so it isn’t positively known where he lost them.  When Ethelwyn and Beth suddenly bethought themselves that they were to go with their mother to the Home the next day, to take Joe’s sister there, it was at once decided that Bobby and Nan should go too, for one beautiful outing before school should begin.

“And we will need it,” said Bobby, with a deep sigh over the arduous educational duties before him.

Then Bobby’s grandfather brought out some curious knobby-looking bundles from his valise, and while the children shut their eyes, he hid the packages and then turned the children loose to find them.  There was a great outfit of Kate Greenaway writing paper for Ethelwyn; a black doll-baby apiece for Beth and Nan; and a watch with a leather fob and jockey cap attachments for his namesake, Bobby.  There were also a book and a game for each one.  While they were playing with their gifts, Mrs. Rayburn and Bobby’s grandfather talked apart, and it was a happy talk, as Ethelwyn and Beth could see when they came up to where they were sitting.

When at last it was time to say good-night, Ethelwyn and Beth had a surprise for Bobby’s grandfather.  It was four silver dollars.  “Two of our dollars are gone to help take Joe’s sister to the Home,” Beth explained, “but this is for you on account of your losing the change money.  It’s from us all, instead of good-bye presents we were going to get for Nan and Bobby.  They said they’d rather.”

Bobby’s grandfather hesitated just a little and was about to make a gesture of refusal, when, seeing their mother shake her head, he kissed the children’s red cheeks and said, with a shake in his voice, “You dear children, I’ll keep these and your letter, as long as I live, so as not to forget your faith in me.”

CHAPTER XX The Visit to the Home

    On the train we ran through rain,
      Then out in sun and blue;
    And all the trees bent down and raced,
      And all the houses too.

Somehow, that night, after the children were all in bed, and the grown people were talking over the next day’s journey, it seemed to Bobby’s grandfather that he too would like to go along, and he said he could not for the life of him see why Bobby’s mother should not go too, and also Nan’s father and mother if they wished.

Well, it was short notice, but by telegraphing, telephoning and telling by mouth they arranged it; and the next morning quite an imposing party boarded the Eastbound Limited, and took possession of the drawing-room car, for Bobby’s grandfather never did things on a niggardly plan.