He was eager to bring her to look at it, the house and the grounds.
These last delighted both himself and Grace, although lawn and gardens were far from being as trim and neat as those of Ion and Fairview: there was an air of neglect about the whole place, but that could soon be remedied.
The bit of woodland was beautiful; and through it, and across lawn and gardens, ran a little stream of clear, sparkling water,--a pretty feature in the landscape, without being deep enough to be dangerous to the little ones.
Grace went everywhere with her father, up-stairs and down, indoors and out, quietly looking and listening, but seldom speaking, unless addressed.
Once or twice she said, in a low aside, "Papa, I'd like to live here, if you can 'ford to buy it.
"Papa, this is such a pretty room, and the view from that window is so nice!" He would reply only by a kind smile, or a word or two of assent.

She did not understand all the talk in the library after they had finished their round, and when they left was still in some doubt as to her father's intentions.
"Papa," she asked eagerly, as soon as they were fairly on their homeward way, "have you bought it ?" "We have come to an agreement," he answered.
"Then, is it ours ?" "It will be, as soon as I have got the deed, and handed over the money." "Oh, I'm so glad!" she cried, clapping her hands with delight.

"And we're to be 'lowed to go there to stay in two weeks, aren't we?
I thought that was what Miss Elliott said." "Yes: can you get all your possessions packed up by that time ?" "Yes, indeed, papa: one day would be enough time for that." "And if you should happen to forget one of the dollies, you could go back for her," remarked the doctor.
"Or replace it with a new one," said the captain.
"But I love all my dollies, papa," she returned, with a wistful look up into his face: "they're my children, you know.

Would you be satisfied with another new little girl 'stead of me ?" "No, indeed!" he replied, bending down to kiss her cheek.

"If I had another new little girl given me, I should want to hold fast to my little Gracie too; and you shall keep all your dollies as long as you please." Lulu and Max started on their walk to Fairview about the same time that Dr.Conly drove away with their father and Grace.
Their talk was principally of the new home in prospect.