CHAPTER XXIII.
LULU.
Before two days had passed Zoe was quite herself again, and as full of delight at the prospect of going away for a little trip as any child could have been.

She wore so bright a face, was so merry and frolicsome, that it was a pleasure to watch her, especially when with her husband, and not aware that any other eye was upon her.
His face, too, beamed with happiness.
Elsie's eyes resting upon them would sometimes fill with tears--half of joy in their felicity, half of sorrowful yet tender reminiscence.

In his present mood Edward was very like his father in looks, in speech, in manner.
Tuesday morning came, bringing with it delightful weather; Edward had decided to take a later train than when starting before, because he would not have Zoe roused too soon from sleep.
They took breakfast with the family at the usual hour, an open barouche waiting for them at the door; then with a gay good-by to all set out upon their journey, driving to the nearest station, and there taking the cars.
"I wish I was going, too!" sighed Lulu, as she and Rosie stood looking after the barouche.
"Mamma would have let us drive over to the station with them," said Rose; "Edward asked if we might, but Ben had some errands to do in town, and couldn't bring us back in time for lessons." "Lessons! I'm sick and tired of them!" grumbled Lulu.

"Other children had holidays last week, but we had to go right on studying." "But we are to take ours in a week or two, visiting at the Oaks and the Laurels, perhaps two weeks at each place, and I'm sure that will be nicer than to have had Easter holidays at home." "There, it's out of sight," said Lulu.

"I'd like to be Aunt Zoe, just starting off on a journey.