ly, and quite sober and sedate.

Richard took a great fancy to Elsie from the first moment, and very
soon had coaxed her out to the lawn, where he presently engaged her in
a merry game of romps with Sophy, Harold, and himself, which was finally
brought to a conclusion by the arrival of the elder Mr. Allison, almost
immediately followed by the call to supper.

Mr. Allison had a pleasant face, and was a younger looking man than might
have been expected in the father of such a family. He welcomed his guests
with the greatest cordiality, expressing the hope that they intended
paying a long visit to Elmgrove, which he said they owed him in return
for Rose's lengthened sojourn at Roselands.

Mrs. Allison also made her appearance at the tea-table, saying that she
had nearly recovered from her headache; although she still looked pale
and languid.

She had a kind, motherly look, and a gentle, winning address that quite
took Elsie's fancy; and was evidently pleased at their arrival, and
anxious to entertain them in the most hospitable manner.

Mr. Dinsmore and his little girl were the only guests, and all the
children, excepting the baby, were allowed to come to the table.

They seemed to be well-bred children, behaved in a quiet, orderly way,
and asked politely for what they wanted, but were rather too much
indulged, Mr. Dinsmore thought, as he observed that they all ate and
drank whatever they fancied, without any remonstrance from their parents.

Elsie was seated between her father and Miss Rose.

"Will your little girl take tea or coffee, Mr. Dinsmore?" asked Mrs.
Allison.

"Neither, thank you, madam: she will take a glass of milk if you have it;
if not, cold water will do very well,"

"Why, Elsie, I thought I remembered that you were very fond of coffee,"
Rose remarked, as she filled a tumbler with milk and set it down beside
the little girl's plate.

"Elsie is a good child, and eats and drinks just whatever her father
thinks best for her, Miss Allison," said Mr. Dinsmore, preventing Elsie's
reply. "No, no; not any of those, if you please," for Rose was putting
hot, buttered waffles upon Elsie's plate; "I don't allow her to eat hot
cakes, especially at night."

"Excuse me, Mr. Dinsmore, but are you not eating them yourself?" asked
Rose, with an arch smile.

"Yes, Miss Rose; and so may she when she is my age," he answered in a
pleasant tone, accompanied by an affectionate glance and smile bestowed
upon his lit