"Yes; only see that you don't stay too long, and keep the dinner waiting
at Roselands."

"Mamma," asked Elsie, bringing up the rear as they entered the
sitting-room, "can't you go, too--you and Aunt Adelaide? Four make as nice
a party as two, and the babies can be driven over quite safely, with their
mammies, to take care of them."

"No," said Rose, "I never accept such late invitations; I shall----"

"My dear," said her husband, "we would be very glad."

"No, no; the first arrangement is decidedly the best;" putting on an air
of pretended pique.

"Babies! do you call me a baby?" cried young Horace, who had sprung to his
feet with a flash of indignation in his great black eyes, "I'm nine years
old, Elsie. Rosie there's the only baby belonging to this house. Do you
think papa would let a baby have a pony like Gip? and a pistol of his own,
too?"

Elsie put her arms round his neck, and gave him a kiss, "I beg ten
thousand pardons."

"Elsie, my daughter, don't allow yourself to speak so extravagantly,"
interrupted her father.

"I will try not, papa," she answered. "I beg your pardon, Horace dear, and
assure you I think you are quite a manly young man. Now I must prepare for
my ride, papa. I shall be ready by the time the horses can be brought to