Part 40 (1/2)
”Yes, that I will, if papa approves,” returned Lulu warmly, her eyes s.h.i.+ning. ”Gracie, it's good--a real pleasure, I mean--to make yourself do distasteful things, for Jesus' sake.
”I'll put my hat and coat in their proper places and smooth my hair, so I'll be neat for dinner, and we'll go and talk to papa about it at once.
He's sure to approve, and I don't want to give myself any chance to change my mind and give the thing up.”
”And we won't mind Grandma Elsie hearing,” added Grace; ”perhaps she'll know what they need the most, and maybe she'll tell Rosie and Eva and they'll offer to do something for the poor things too.”
”Oh yes: perhaps we can form ourselves into a Dorcas society. That's what they call societies that make garments for the poor you know, because of Dorcas in the Bible who made coats and garments for the poor where she lived.”
”Yes, Lu; but there's the dinner bell, and we'll have to wait awhile before we can talk to papa about it; for you know he says we mustn't talk a great deal at the table when there's company.”
”And I have to smooth my hair yet, and that will make me late. I'm so sorry, because it vexes papa to have us unpunctual. Don't wait for me, Gracie, for that will make you late too.”
”I'd rather wait for you, but I 'spose I ought to go at once,” Gracie said, looking regretfully back as she left the room.
The blessing had been asked and the captain was carving the turkey when Lulu took her seat at the table, which was close at his right hand.
He gave her a grave look.
”I'm very sorry I'm late, papa,” she said in a low tone, and casting down her eyes. ”I'd been so busy talking with Gracie that I hadn't my hair smoothed when the bell rang.”
”It has been a very exciting morning for you, daughter, and I'll excuse you this time,” he returned, speaking kindly and in as low a key as her own; ”it is not often I find you unpunctual.”
Lulu heaved a sigh of relief, her countenance brightened, and her eyes were lifted to her father's face with a grateful, loving look that brought a smile to his lips and eyes.
She was very quiet during the meal, speaking only when spoken to, but her father kept an eye on her plate and saw that her wants were abundantly supplied.
On leaving the table all repaired to the parlor and Lulu and Grace, seizing the first opportunity offered them by a pause in the talk of their elders, told of their plan, and asked permission to carry it out.
It was received with entire approval by all present, their father included.
”I have no doubt that Rosie and Evelyn will be glad to join you in forming a Dorcas society,” said Grandma Elsie, ”and if you like I shall be happy to cut out garments for you to work upon, and to teach you how to do it for yourselves.”
”Oh thank you, ma'am!” responded the little girls; ”we were sure you would and it will be ever so nice.”
”Taridge tumin'! two taridge tumin'!” cried little Elsie, who had climbed on a chair, and was gazing out of a window looking upon the drive.
They proved to be the Ion and Fairview carriages, bringing the whole family of the latter place and all of the other who were not already present.
”We have come in a body, as you see, to learn all about the strange occurrences of last night and the consequent doings in the magistrate's office this morning,” Grandpa Dinsmore remarked, as he shook hands with the captain and kissed Violet, first on one cheek, then on the other.
”Tiss Elsie too, danpa,” cried the little one toddling up to him; ”oo mustn't fordet to tiss oor 'ittle dirl.”
”Certainly not,” he said, taking her into his arms to kiss her several times, then sitting down with her on his knee. ”Do you know that you are my great-granddaughter?”
”Ess, Elsie knows dat,” she answered, nodding her curly head wisely.
Meantime greetings had been exchanged among the others, and the four little girls had got into a corner by themselves.
”O Lu, do tell us all about it!” cried Rosie. ”I never did hear of such a brave girl as you! Why I'd have been scared to death, and never have thought of such a thing as going down where the burglars were.”