I must not keep you longer from the wife who grudges every moment that you are absent from her side," she concluded, with a smile as sweet and beautiful as that of her girlhood's days.
While the captain and his mother-in-law held this little conversation in the upper hall, Zoe and Rosie were promenading the veranda, arm in arm.
They had been talking of Violet and her baby, rejoicing together over its improved condition.
"How dreadful the last two days have been to poor Vi!" exclaimed Rosie, "even in spite of the home-coming of her husband, which has always before this made her so happy.

In fact, it has been a dreadful time to all of us; and nobody to blame except that bad-tempered Lulu.
"At least, so _I_ think," she added, conscience giving her a twinge; "though mamma says I ought to have let her have my pony, and taken my own ride later in the day, if I wanted one." "It would have been more polite and unselfish, wouldn't it ?" queried Zoe, in a teasing tone.

"I dare say it is what mamma herself would have done under the same circumstances." "I have no doubt of that," returned Rosie; "but mamma and I are two very different people.

I can never hope to be as good and unselfish as she is, and always has been so far as I can learn." "Ah! but there's nothing like trying," laughed Zoe.
"Suppose you tell Lulu that, advising her to undertake the task of controlling her temper." "She was quite a good while without an outbreak," said Zoe; "and really, Rosie, that dog of yours is extremely trying at times." "It's quite trying to me, that I've had to send him away, and can't have him about any more till Lulu's gone.

I'll be sorry to have Vi leave Ion, but rejoiced to be rid of Lulu.