Elsie at Nantucket | Page 4

letter at once,

or it will be too late for the mail."
He hurried away to the library, and entering it hastily, but without
much noise, for he wore slippers, found Lulu there, leaning moodily
out of a window.
She had stolen away from the veranda a moment before, saying to
herself, in jealous displeasure, "Such a fuss over that little bit of a thing!
I do believe papa is going to care more for it than for any of us, his own
children, that he had long before he ever saw Mamma Vi; and it's just
too bad."
Knowing Lulu as he did, her father instantly conjectured what was
passing in her mind. It grieved and angered him, yet strong affection
was mingled with his displeasure, and he silently asked help of God to
deal wisely with this child of his love.
He remembered that Lulu was more easily ruled through her affections
than in any other way, and as she turned toward him, with a flushed and
shamefaced countenance, he went to her, took her in his arms, held her
close to his heart, and kissed her tenderly several times.
"My dear, dear little daughter," he said. "How often, when far away on
the sea, I have longed to do this--to hold my dear Lulu in my arms and
feel hers about my neck and her sweet kisses on my lips."
Her arms were instantly thrown round his neck, while she returned his
kisses with interest.
"Papa," she said, "I do love you so, so dearly; but I 'most wonder you
don't quit loving such a hateful girl as I am."
"Perhaps I might not love an ill-tempered, jealous child belonging to
somebody else," he said, as if half in jest, half in earnest; "but you are
my own," drawing her closer and repeating his caresses, "my very own;
and so I have to love you in spite of everything. But, my little girl," and
his tone grew very grave and sad, "if you do not fight determinately
against these wrong feelings you will never know rest or happiness in

this world or the next.
"But we won't talk any more about it now; I have no time, as I ought to
be writing my letter. Run away and make yourself happy, collecting
together such toys and books as you would like to carry with you to
Nantucket. Grandma Elsie and Mamma Vi will decide what you and
the rest will need in the way of clothing."
"I will, papa; and oh, but I think you are good to me!" she said, giving
him a final hug and kiss; "a great deal better than I deserve; but I will
try to be good."
"Do, my child," he said; "and not in your own strength; God will help
you if you ask Him."
For the moment thoroughly ashamed of her jealousy of the baby, she
ran back to the veranda, where the others still were, and bending over it
as it lay its mother's arms, kissed it several times.
Violet's face flushed with pleasure. "My dear Lulu, I hope you and little
Else are going to be very fond of each other," she said.
"I hope so, Mamma Vi," Lulu answered, pleasantly; then, in a sudden
fit of penitence, added, "but I'm afraid she'll never learn any good from
the example of her oldest sister."
"My dear child, resolve that she shall," said Grandma Elsie, standing by;
"you cannot avoid having a good deal of influence over her as she
grows older, and do not forget that you will have to give an account for
the use you make of it."
"I suppose that's so," Lulu answered, with a little impatient shrug of her
shoulders; "but I wish it wasn't." Then, turning abruptly away, "Max
and Gracie," she called to her brother and sister, "papa says we may go
and gather up any books and toys we want to take with us."
The three ran off together in high glee. The ladies stayed a little longer,
deep in consultation about necessary arrangements which must fall to

their share: then dispersed to their several apartments, with the
exception of Violet, who, forbidden to exert herself, remained where
she was till joined by her husband, when he had finished and
despatched his letter. It was great happiness to them to be together after
their long separation.
Mr. Dinsmore and Edward had walked out into the avenue, and were
seated under a tree in earnest conversation.
"Talking tiresome business, I suppose," remarked Zoe, in a
half-petulant tone, glancing toward them as she spoke, and apparently
addressing Violet, as she was the only other person on the veranda at
the moment.
"Yes, no doubt; but we must have patience with them, dear, because it
is very