e.

CHAPTER IX.

"The sober comfort, all the peace which springs
From the large aggregate of little things,
On these small cares of--daughter--wife--or friend,
The almost sacred joys of home depend."
--Hannah More.

Mrs. Elsie Travilla and her family were greatly beloved in their own
neighborhood, and as there had been no opportunity hitherto for showing
attention to the three young married ladies, or any one of them, there was
quite an influx of callers for a week or two after the return to Ion, and
these calls were presently succeeded by a round of dinner and evening
parties given in their honor.

The death of Mr. Love having occurred within the year, Zoe, of course,
declined all such invitations; and it was only occasionally that Edward
could be persuaded to go without her.

Violet accepted when it would have been deemed impolite or unkind to
decline, but scarcely yet more than a bride, she felt a trifle forlorn
going into society without her husband, and much preferred the quiet and
seclusion of home.

This was to the advantage of the children, Max and Lulu thereby gaining
much assistance with their evening studies, Gracie a great deal of
motherly care and petting.

So the duty of representing the family at these social gatherings devolved
largely upon Lester and Elsie Leland, who laughingly declared themselves
martyrs to the social reputation of the family.

"A very nice way to be martyred, I think," said Rosie. "I only wish they'd
have the politeness to include me in their invitations."

"It would do you little good," remarked Mr. Dinsmore, "since you would not
be allowed to accept."

"Are you quite sure, grandpa, that mamma wouldn't allow it?" she asked,
with an arch look up into his face.

"Quite; since she never allows anything which I do not approve."

"Well," Rosie said, seating herself upon his knee and putting an arm
around his neck, "I believe it isn't worth while to fret about it, since,
as I'm not invited, I couldn't go any how."

"A sensible conclusion," he returned laughingly. "Fretting is an
unprofitable business at any time."

"Ordinarily I should be very much of Rosie's opinion," Zoe said aside to
her husband, "for I was always fond of parties; but of course, just now I
couldn't take the least pleasure in them," and she hastily brushed away a
tear.

"No, love, I'm sure you could not," he said, tenderly clasping the littl