h an honest, kindly heart, and it seems to me that no one
really acquainted with Tom can help respecting him, in spite of his
eccentricities."

"But you need not be so heroic, Bessie," returned Elsie; "Tom always
allowed me to laugh at him as much as I pleased; you know I don't mean
to be ill-natured."

"No one would ever suspect you of that, Birdie," added Mellen, with a
fond glance.

Elizabeth said nothing more, and the conversation "We shall have the
house crowded with visitors, I suppose," Elsie said; "Mary Harrington
told me she should only give us one day for family affection--"

"I hope she won't come to stay any time just yet," said Elizabeth.

"I hope so, too," added Mellen; "I should like a little enjoyment of my
home, if possible, for a week or two at least."

"But people will come," said Elsie; "you must expect it. They look for
all sorts of invitations, and you must give them or mortally offend
everybody."

Perhaps the idea of the gayety that would ensue was not unpleasant to
Elsie, in spite of her joy at Mellen's return; it was quite natural at
her age, and to her character, which drooped in solitude like a flower
deprived of the sun.

"Oh," said Mellen, "we will give them as many dinners and parties as
they like, provided they won't domicile themselves with us, Elizabeth."

"Yes; I don't mind that so much."

"Shall you take a house in town, Grant?" asked Elsie.

"Do you particularly wish it?"

"Oh, it would be pleasant, of course."

"Just as you and Elizabeth choose," he said.

"For my part I would rather stay here," exclaimed Elizabeth.

"And so would I," said Mellen.

Elsie looked a little disappointed, but she concealed the feeling with
her usual quickness.

"I have not told you what Doctor Peters said," she continued.

"What?" her brother asked, anxious at once.

"He thinks the sea air too strong for me in the winter; but, I dare say,
it is only his fancy; I would not have either you or Elizabeth disturbed
on my account."

"My dear child," cried Mellen, "that settles the matter at once; we will
certainly go away from here before the cold weather comes; any where you
like; Bessie will gladly give up Piney Cove, I'm sure."

"Certainly," answered the wife, quietly.

Elsie looked triumphant; she was always elated at having her own way,
whether the thing was of importance or not.

"We need not think about it now," she said, demurely; "it will be warm
and pleasant for several w