"I have had a letter from your mother, in which she says the dear invalid seems decidedly better." "Oh, joy! joy!" cried the children, Rosie hugging and kissing her grandfather, the boys capering about in a transport of gladness.
"And will they come home soon, grandpa ?" asked Eddie.
"Nothing is said about that, I presume they will linger at the North till the weather begins to grow too cool for Lily," Mr.Dinsmore answered, shaking hands with Mr.Daly, who, hearing his voice on the veranda, stepped out to inquire for news of the absent ones.
While they talked together, Vi ran away in search of Aunt Chloe.
She found her on the back veranda, enjoying a chat with Aunt Dicey and Uncle Joe.
"Oh, mammy, good news! good news!" Vi cried, half breathless with haste and happiness; "grandpa had a letter from mamma, and our darling Lily is better, much better." "Bress de Lord!" ejaculated her listeners in chorus.
"Bress his holy name, I hope de chile am gwine to discover her health agin," added Uncle Joe.

"I'se been a prayin' pow'ful strong for her." "'Spect der is been more'n you at dat business, Uncle Joe;" remarked Aunt Dicey, "'spect I knows one ole niggah dat didn't fail to disremember de little darlin' at de throne ob grace." "De bressed lamb!" murmured Aunt Chloe, dropping a tear on Violet's golden curls as she clasped her to her breast, "she's de Lord's own, and he'll take de bes' care of her; in dis world and in de nex'; be sho' ob dat, honey.

Ise mighty glad for her and my dear missus; and for you too Miss Wi'let.

You's been frettin' yo' heart out 'bout Miss Lily." "I've been very anxious about her, mammy; and something else has been troubling me too, but it's all right now," Violet answered with a glad look, then releasing herself, ran back to her grandfather.
She had seen less than usual of him for several weeks past, and wanted an opportunity to pour out all her heart to him.
He had gone up to Molly's sitting-room, and she followed him thither.
With Rosie on his knee, Harold and Herbert standing on either side, and Eddie sitting near, he was chatting gayly with his crippled niece, who was as bright and cheery as any of the group, all of whom were full of joy over the glad tidings he had brought.
"Grandpa," said Vi, joining them, "it seems a good while since you were here for more than a short call.

Won't you stay now for the rest of the day ?" "Yes, and I propose that we drive down to the lake, Molly and all, and have a row.