Part 18 (2/2)
The lads, too, found themselves ready to enjoy rest within doors after their continued violent exertion.
Some quiet games filled up the remainder of the morning and the afternoon. In the evening they were ready for another romp in which the girls might have a share; so Stage Coach, Blind-man's Buff, and similar games were in vogue.
They had been very merry and entirely harmonious, but at length a slight dispute arose, and Capt. Raymond, sitting in an adjoining room conversing with the older guests and members of the family, yet not inattentive to what was going on among the young folks--heard Lulu's voice raised to a higher than its ordinary key.
He rose, stepped to the communicating door, and called in a low tone, grave but kindly, ”Lulu!”
”Sir,” she answered, turning her face in his direction.
”Come here, daughter,” he said; ”I want you.”
She obeyed promptly, though evidently a trifle unwillingly.
He took her hand and led her out into the hall, and on into a small reception room, bright and cheery with light and fire, but quite deserted.
”What do you want me for, papa?” she asked. ”Please don't keep me long; because we were just going to begin a new game.”
He took possession of an easy chair, and drawing her into his arms, and touching his lips to her cheek, ”Can you not spare a few minutes to your father when your mates have had you all day?” he asked.
”Why, yes, indeed, you dear papa!” she exclaimed with a sudden change of tone, putting her arms about his neck and looking up into his face with eyes full of ardent filial affection. ”How nice in you to love me well enough to want to leave the company in the parlors to give a little time to petting me!”
”I love you full well enough for that, my darling,” he said, repeating his caresses, ”but my call to you was because a tone in my little girl's voice told me she needed her father just at that moment.”
She looked up inquiringly, then with sudden comprehension, ”Oh! you thought I was in danger of getting into a pa.s.sion, and I'm afraid I was.
Papa, you are my good guardian angel, always on the watch to help me in my hard fight with my dreadful temper. Thank you very, very much!”
”You are entirely welcome, daughter,” he said, softly smoothing her hair; ”it could hardly be a sadder thing to you than to me, should that enemy of yours succeed in overcoming you again. Try, dear child, to be constantly on the watch against it.
”'Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation,' Jesus said. The moment that you feel the rising of anger in your breast lift up your heart to him for strength to resist.”
”I do intend to always, papa,” she sighed, tightening her clasp of his neck and laying her cheek to his, ”but oh it is so, so easy to forget!”
”I know it, dear child, but I can only encourage you to continue the fight with your evil nature, looking ever unto Jesus for help. Press forward in the heavenly way, and if you fall, get up again and go on with redoubled energy and determination; and you will win the victory at last; for 'in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.'
”Now, if you feel that you are safe in doing so, you may go back to your mates.”
There was a very sweet expression on Lulu's face as she rejoined her mates, and her manner was gentle and subdued.
”So you've come back,” remarked Sydney. ”What did your papa want with you?”
”O Syd,” exclaimed Rosie, ”that's private, you know!”
”Oh to be sure! I beg pardon, Lu,” said Sydney.
”You are quite excusable,” returned Lulu pleasantly. ”Papa had something to say to me, that was all,” and she glanced up at him with such a loving look, as at that instant he entered the room, that no one could suspect the talk between them had been other than most pleasant.
”Well, you have come back just in time; we are going to play the game of Authors,” said Herbert, beginning to distribute the cards.
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