ed Walter to
himself, as he wiped away his tears and hastened to the schoolroom to
attend to his lessons.

"Nobody here but myself," he sighed, as he crossed the threshold. "It's
rather lonesome, but I'll do the best I can. It's what mamma would
advise."

CHAPTER XV.

Grace had gone over to Fairview with her little brother and sister,
accompanied by their nurse, Mamma Vi having told her she might learn her
lessons there, and if Evelyn cared to hear her recite, that would answer
very well.

Evelyn was entirely willing, and they had just finished a few minutes
before the carriage from Woodburn came driving up the avenue, bringing
Grace's father and sister Lulu.

They had already paid a call at Ion, and now had come to make a short
one at Fairview, and pick up Gracie, little Elsie, and Ned.

"Papa, papa!" shouted the two little ones, running to meet him as he
came up the steps into the veranda, and holding up their faces for a
kiss.

"Papa's darlings!" he responded, taking them in his arms to caress and
fondle them, then letting them go to give Gracie her turn.

"Is my feeble little girl quite well this morning?" he asked, in tender
tones.

"Yes, papa, thank you," she replied, giving him a vigorous hug, "and oh,
so glad to see you! Have you come to take us--Elsie and Ned and
me--home for a while again?"

"I have," he said, returning her hug. "I can't have your mamma at
present, as her mother needs her, but my dear babies I need not do
without."

"Am I one of them, papa?" asked Gracie, with a smile. "I'm almost
eleven; but I don't mind being one of your babies, if you like to call
me that." His only reply was a smile and a loving pat on her cheek, for
the two little ones were tugging at his coat and coaxing for a drive.

"Why, Elsie and Ned, you haven't kissed me yet," said Lulu. "Gracie and
Eva did while you were exchanging hugs and kisses with papa, and I think
it's my turn now."

"So it is! I love you, Lu," cried Elsie, leaving her father for a moment
to throw her arms round Lulu's neck in a hearty and loving embrace; Ned
quickly followed suit, then running to his father again, renewed his
request for a drive in the carriage.

"Yes, my son, you shall have it presently," said the captain; then he
proposed to Evelyn that she and her two little cousins should join the
party for a short drive in another direction, before he would take his
own children home to Woodburn.

His invitation was joyful