Can't I go to them now, Max ?" "No, not yet; they wouldn't let me go into the wing where they are.

I mean the doctors wouldn't; because the danger of contagion is not over, and won't be for a week or more." "So long to wait ?" she sighed.
"Yes," Max said, "but we ought to wait very patiently, now that we have had such glorious news.

And perhaps there'll be letters from papa by to-morrow." His hope was fulfilled: the next morning's mail brought letters from Captain Raymond to his wife and each of his children--the baby, of course, excepted.
Max handed Lulu hers.
She almost snatched it from him in her joy and eagerness, and hurried with it to her room, where she could be quite alone at this hour, Evelyn being at school; for she was finishing out the term, not having the same reason for leaving before its close that Max and Lulu had.
But now that she held the precious, longed-for missive in her hand, Lulu could scarce find courage to open and read it; because she had good reason to expect a severe reprimand from the father, whom, in spite of their mutual love, she had been persistently disobeying for the last three months.

She would have given much to recall that past, and feel herself deserving of his commendation and such words of tender fatherly affection as he had often addressed to her by both tongue and pen.
At last she tore open the envelope, spread out the sheet, and with burning cheeks and fast beating heart, read: "My dear little daughter; my heart misgives me that there is something very much amiss with you.

Not sickness, for your mamma, Max, and Gracie all make casual mention of you, and say directly that you are well; yet I have not seen a stroke of your pen for three months or more.
"Your little letters, so full of 'love to papa,' have been very sweet to me, so that I am loath to have them discontinued; but in addition to that, daughter, I have, as you know, directed you to constantly report to me your progress in your studies, your conduct, etc., and in failing to do so you have been guilty of positive disobedience.