rather discontented tone, if she and Max were not to
have any share in the good supper being prepared for the expected
guests.

Instead of answering directly, the captain turned to his son, and asked,
"Max, what do you think of this supper?"

"It's good enough for a king, sir," returned the lad heartily, glancing
over the table as he spoke,--"the nicest of bread and butter, plenty of
rich milk and cream, canned peaches and plums, and splendid gingerbread.
Why, Lu, what more could you ask?"

Lulu only blushed and hung her head in reply.

"I think it is a meal to be thankful for," remarked Violet cheerily;
"but, my dear, you will let them share in some of the lighter
refreshments provided for the guests, won't you?"

"Yes, I intend they shall," replied her husband. "Even Gracie can, I
think, eat some ice-cream with safety."

"Thank you, papa: I'll be satisfied with that, if you don't think it is
best for me to have any thing else," Lulu said, recovering her spirits.

They had scarcely left the table when the guests began to arrive, those
from Ion and Fairview coming first.

"Mamma, dearest mamma! welcome, a thousand times welcome, to our home!"
exclaimed Violet, embracing her mother with ardent affection.

"I wish it were yours also, mother," the captain said: "there could be
no more welcome inmate."

There were cordial, affectionate greetings for each of the others also:
then, when outdoor garments had been laid aside, all were conducted over
the house, to be shown the improvements already made, and told of those
still in contemplation.

It was a great delight to Lulu and Grace to exhibit their pretty rooms
to Evelyn and Rosie, and hear their expressions of surprise and
admiration; and the pleasure was repeated several times, as the little
folks from the Laurels, the Oaks, and the Pines arrived, and in
succession went the same round.

"I am pleased with all I have seen, Vi; but this room is especially
charming to me," grandma Elsie said, when Violet led her a second time
into the nursery, the rest of the Ion party having passed on down to the
parlors. "Baby should be a merry, happy child, if pleasant, cheerful
surroundings can make her so."

"I trust she will, mamma," returned the young mother, leading the way to
the dainty crib where the little one lay sweetly sleeping.

Elsie bent over the little form, gazing at the sweet baby face with eyes
brimful of motherly love and tenderness.

"The lovely, prec