et after a busy day with books
and work.

Molly in her wheeled chair, was there in their midst, feeling herself
quite one of them and looking as contented and even blithesome as any of
the rest. She was feeling very glad over her success in a second literary
venture, thinking of Dick too, and how delightful it would be if she could
only talk it all over with him.

He had told her in his last letter that she was making him proud of her,
and what a thrill of delight the words had given her.

"Papa and mamma!" exclaimed Violet, breaking a pause in the conversation,
"home is very dear and sweet, and yet--I'm afraid I ought to be ashamed to
say it, but I do want to go away somewhere for awhile, to the seashore I
think; that is if we can all go and be together."

"I see no objection if all would like it," her father said, with an
indulgent smile. "What do you say to the plan, little wife?"

"I echo my husband's sentiments as a good wife should," she answered with
something of the sportiveness of other days.

"And we echo yours, mother," said Edward. "Do we not?" appealing to the
others.

"Oh yes, yes!" they cried, "a summer at the seashore, by all means."

"In a cottage home of our own; shall it not be, papa?" added Elsie.

"Your mamma decides all such questions," was his smiling rejoinder.

"I approve the suggestion. It is far preferable to hotel life," she said.
"Molly, my child, you are the only one who has not spoken."

Molly's bright face had clouded a little. "I want you all to go and enjoy
yourselves," she said, "though I shall miss you sadly."

"Miss us! do you then intend to decline going along?"

Molly colored and hesitated; "I'm such a troublesome piece of furniture to
move," she said half jestingly, bravely trying to cover up the real pain
that came with the thought.

"That is nothing," said Mr. Travilla, so gently and tenderly that happy,
grateful tears sprang to her eyes; "you go, of course, with the rest of
us; unless there is some more insuperable objection--such as a
disinclination on your part, and even that should, perhaps, be overruled;
for the change would do you good."

"O Molly you will not think of staying behind?"

"We should miss you sadly," said Elsie and Vi.

"And if you go you'll see Dick," suggested Eddie.

Molly's heart bounded at the thought. "Oh," she said, her eyes sparkling,
"how delightful that would be! and since you are all so kind, I'll be
glad, very glad to go."