"Yes, indeed," added Zoe, heartily.

"Thank you both," Elsie said, with a gratified look; "I appreciate the
compliment; but if I had the naming of my little granddaughter, she
should be another Violet; there is already an Elsie in the family
besides myself, you know, and it makes a little confusion to have too
many of the same name."

"Then, mamma, we can make a variety by calling this one Else for short,"
returned Violet, gayly, holding up the babe to receive a caress from
its grandmother, who had drawn near, evidently with the purpose of
bestowing it.

"What a pretty pet it is!" Elsie said, taking it in her arms and gazing
delightedly into the tiny face. "Don't you think so, captain?"

"Of course I do, mother," he said, with a happy laugh. Then, examining
its features critically: "I really fancy I see a slight resemblance to
you now, which I trust is destined to increase with increasing years.
But excuse me, ladies; I must go and write that all-important letter at
once, or it will be too late for the mail."

He hurried away to the library, and entering it hastily, but without
much noise, for he wore slippers, found Lulu there, leaning moodily out
of a window.

She had stolen away from the veranda a moment before, saying to herself,
in jealous displeasure, "Such a fuss over that little bit of a thing! I
do believe papa is going to care more for it than for any of us, his own