The remaining winter months sped swiftly by, nothing occurring to mar
the domestic felicity of our friends at Woodburn; then came gentle
spring with her soft breezes, buds and blossoms, bringing new delights.
The captain planned and carried out various improvements in the
grounds, taking not his wife only, but his children also, into his
counsels, consulting their tastes and wishes in a way that gave them
a very enjoyable sense of joint proprietorship with him. He had a
pleasant fashion of saying “ours” instead of “my” house, grounds,
flower-garden, etc.
But Max was given a garden spot to be all his own; Lulu and Grace each
had hers; and they were encouraged to work in them according to their
strength, the gardener being instructed to do for them whatever they
were not able to do for themselves, and to provide each with whatever
plants and seeds were called for.
It was but little Grace could do with her own small hands, but she
found great pleasure in directing the laying out of her own tiny
domain, selecting the seeds and plants and deciding upon the order of
their arrangement.
The captain was a firm believer in the efficacy of fresh air, and in
suitable weather there were daily drives and walks about the grounds,
through the woods and along the country roads.
It was a dear delight to the children to hunt for wild wood flowers in
their walks, and if they spied any in their drives, papa was always
indulgently ready to stop the carriage and gather the floral treasures
for his darlings, or even to permit them to alight and pluck the
tempting beauties for themselves.
Such a free, glad life was theirs, so filled with pleasant duties and
pastimes, so surrounded with an atmosphere of tender parental care and
love, that their young hearts seemed brimming over with happiness, and
even Gracie’s face grew round and rosy with health.
Violet, too, was very happy, gay and light-hearted as a child: the
captain sometimes said that he felt as if he were renewing his youth;
at which Violet would laugh and say, “That is not so very strange, my
dear; for you are some years younger than mamma—whom we all indignantly
refuse to consider old—and you have neither gray hairs nor wrinkles.”
Max and Lulu had not given up their fret and scroll sawing and carving,
but usually found at least a few minutes to devote to them every day.
They had been for weeks engaged upon some pretty things for Grace, to
be presented upon her birthday, which was now near at hand.
It was a secret between themselves, known to no one else except their
father, from whom they seldom desired to conceal any thing. It was
a dear delight to both that he was always ready to receive their
confidences, listen with interest and give hearty sympathy and help
also, if it were needed.
Going into their workroom one morning, he found them there, both busily
plying their tools.
“You seem to be very industrious,” he remarked with a pleased smile.
“Are you not nearly done?”
“Yes, papa,” they answered, “we have only a little more to do, but we
must make haste with that, for to-morrow is Gracie’s birthday.”
“I have not forgotten that,” he said. “I shall have a gift for her too.”
“What, papa?” cried Lulu eagerly. “May we know?”
“You may know to-morrow,” he answered pleasantly. “This is very pretty,
Lulu,” taking up some of her work and examining it critically.
“Yes, papa; and this is the last piece I’m doing now. Then I’ll fasten
them together and the cradle will be done, all but putting in the pink
satin lining I have ready for it. It will just fit Kitty, Gracie’s
largest doll, and I’ve made such a sweet little pillow and spread for
it; both of pink satin covered with lace. Oh, I’m sure Gracie will be
delighted! particularly because I’ve made every thing myself.”
“I haven’t a doubt that she will,” he said. Then, looking at his watch,
“You have still fifteen minutes before school time.”
“I think I can get done the carving in that time, papa,” she said, “and
this afternoon I can put in the lining. Maxie, you are nearer done than
I, aren’t you?”
“Perhaps just a trifle,” he answered. “Papa, what do you think of this
clock-case now?”
The captain examined and admired, then bidding them be punctual in
coming to their lessons, went out and left them.
They were careful to obey. Lulu entered the schoolroom with flushed
cheeks and shining eyes.
“I’m done, papa,” she said to him in a low aside, “and so is Maxie.”
“I congratulate you both,” he answered, with a look of interest and a
kindly smile.
Lessons over, Lulu hastened back to the work-room to gather up the bits
of carved wood upon which she had expended so much time and labor.
On the threshold she was met by a little negro boy coming out with a
hatchet in his hand.
“Dick! how dare you go in there? What have you been doing with that
hatchet?” she asked in tones of mingled anger and alarm.
“Nuffin, Miss Lu,” he answered, running off at full speed, while she
hurried into the room and to the table where she had left her treasures
laid together in a neat pile.
It had disappeared, but on the floor beneath lay a heap of broken bits
and splinters of wood which one horrified glance showed her were all
that Dick’s hatchet had left of her beautiful work.
With a cry of grief and dismay she dropped into a chair, then laying
her head on the table she began to sob in a heart-broken way.
Presently a hand was laid on her shoulder and her father’s voice asked
in tenderly sympathizing tones, “My darling, what is the matter? What
can have happened to distress you so?”
“Look, papa, look! Dick did it with his hatchet,” she sobbed, pointing
to the tell-tale heaps on the floor.
“Dick?” he exclaimed. “He is not allowed to come in here, and should
never be permitted to have a hatchet. I shall take measures to prevent
a repetition of such mischievous doings.”
“But he’s destroyed them all, papa; every one, and I haven’t time to
make any more for Gracie’s birthday.”
“No, dear child, and I am very sorry for you. What can I do to comfort
you?” he asked, sitting down and taking her in his arms. “Will it
console you a little to know that I am much gratified to find that you
have borne this severe trial of patience without flying into a passion.”
“Yes, papa, it does comfort me some. But I hope Dick will keep out of
my way for a while; because I’m afraid I might fly at him and box his
ears.”
“I shall see that he does not come near you,” the captain said,
gravely. “And I must find some way to help you to get another present
for Gracie. We will try to think of something to buy which she would be
sure to like.”
“But it won’t be my work, papa!”
“No, of course not; but when we can not do what we wish, we must try to
be content with doing the best that we can.”
He petted and caressed her for a few moments, then led her out into
the grounds, and tried to direct her mind from her loss by calling her
attention to the growth and beauty of the plants and flowers.
It was the day for her music lesson; the hour for taking it was shortly
after leaving the dinner table.
She had not learned to like Mr. Morgan, and still esteemed it quite
a trial to have to take lessons from him. His stock of patience and
forbearance was hardly larger than hers, but the captain’s presence had
been a restraint upon them both, and hitherto there had been no decided
outbreak of temper on the part of either.
But to-day Mr. Morgan was testy and unreasonable, from some cause
known only to himself, while Lulu, in consequence of her loss and
disappointment, was not in a frame of mind to endure it even as well as
she might at another time.
He scolded, called her stupid, asked how much time she had devoted to
practicing her lesson, and on being told “an hour every day,” said he
did not believe it.
“I don’t tell lies, Mr. Morgan!” cried Lulu indignantly. “Please ask
papa if my word is not to be trusted.”
“It is, sir; fully,” said the captain, leaving the easy chair he had
been occupying on the opposite side of the room, and taking his stand
near the piano, where he could look directly into the faces of both
teacher and pupil.
“Doubtless you think so, sir; but I fancy you may be deceived, like
many another doating parent,” returned the Englishman, in a sneering
tone.
The captain received the taunt in dignified silence, not even changing
color; but Lulu flushed hotly, flashed an angry glance at the speaker,
then sent an entreating one up into her father’s face.
“Yes, you may go,” he said. “Go to the school-room,” and she made haste
to obey.
“Sir!” exclaimed Morgan, angrily, “I can not have my pupils interfered
with in this manner.”
“The child is mine, sir,” replied the captain, “and I decline to have
her subjected to such a trial of temper as your captious fault-finding
and unjust accusations have forced upon her to-day.”
“I repeat that I shall allow no interference between myself and a
pupil,” returned Morgan, growing pale with rage, “and if this thing
is to go on, sir, you may look out for another instructor for your
daughter after the expiration of the present term.”
“There is no need to wait for that,” said the captain in a calm, quiet
tone. “Walk into the library and I will draw a check for the full
amount of your charge for the term; nor ask you to give another lesson.”
Lulu had gone to the school-room quivering with excitement and
indignation, feeling as if the very thought of taking another lesson
from Mr. Morgan was quite unendurable: hoping that her father was
not disposed to blame her for her angry rejoinder to the man’s rudely
expressed doubt of her truthfulness, yet fearing that he might; so
that when he presently came in, it was with some apprehension that she
glanced up into his face, asking tremulously, “Are you displeased with
me, papa?”
“Come here,” he said, seating himself.
She obeyed instantly, though still in doubt of what was awaiting her.
He drew her to his knee, put his arm round her, and pressing his lips
to her cheek, said, “No, daughter, I am not displeased with you; I
think you have had sore trials of patience to-day, and have borne them
well.”
“O papa, do you? oh thank you for saying it! it makes me so glad, so
happy!” she said with a half sob, her arm round his neck, her cheek
laid lovingly to his. “But oh I—I wish I never had to see that man any
more.”
“You need not. I have dismissed him and shall not again engage a male
music teacher for you: without consulting you,” he added in a playful
tone, and smiling affectionately into her eyes.
“O papa, how good in you!” she cried, hugging him close.
“Now,” he said, “the next thing in order is to think what you can buy
as your present to Gracie. How would you like to drive into the city
with me this afternoon and select a gift for her?”
“Oh, very much indeed, papa!”
“Then go and get ready as quickly as you can, for we must start
directly, in order to return by tea time. Your mamma will go with us,
and if Gracie chooses, we will take her as far as Ion and leave her
there until we return.”
“O papa, how nice!” she cried: then hurried away to do his bidding.
Grace was well pleased with her share of the drive, nor thought of any
special reason for dropping her at Ion, further than that her father
deemed it best.
Lulu came back in gayest spirits, accounting for them by saying that
papa had been so very, very kind and had promised never to bid her take
another lesson from Mr. Morgan.
It was Grace’s turn the next morning, when on awaking, she found a
small table by her bedside, quite loaded with pretty gifts from near
and dear ones.
Lulu’s was a lovely Paris doll, with a trunk full of ready-made
clothes. Max’s a clock in a beautifully carved case. Papa, mamma,
Grandma Elsie and other friends had given her books and toys.
She was greatly pleased, and very happy in her quiet way, especially
when her father came in, kissed her fondly, and wished her many happy
returns of the day.
But the most joyful surprise was when after breakfast and family
worship, he led her and Lulu out to the verandah and showed them two
pretty Shetland ponies, asking, “What do you think of those little
fellows, children?”
“Oh! oh! what darlings!” cried Lulu. Then half breathlessly, “Papa, are
they for—? Whose are they?”
He smiled at her wistful, eager, half-hopeful, half-doubtful look.
“The larger one, called Fairy, is for a little girl who seems to have
gained pretty good control over a fiery temper,” he made answer; “the
other, Elf, is for a birthday gift to Gracie; both from papa, who hopes
his darlings will find much enjoyment in riding their small steeds.”
Before he had nearly finished the long sentence they were in his arms,
hugging, kissing, and thanking him in a rapture of delight.
He returned their caresses as warmly as they were given, then helped
them to mount their ponies, and gave Grace a lesson in managing hers.
Lulu seemed quite at home in the saddle, and it pleased him to perceive
it.
They went round the grounds several times; then he had them dismount
and go into the house.
“Your mamma has something to show you,” he said, and led them to their
sitting room, where they found Violet and Alma waiting to fit each
little girl with a handsome riding habit.
Alma had been making them, measuring by some of their dresses, and they
were so nearly done that she said she could have them both finished by
dinner time. There was a dainty hat to match each habit, and when tied
on they were pronounced very becoming.
“This is to be a holiday in Gracie’s honor,” their father said, “and
this afternoon several of her little friends of her own age, are coming
to help her to celebrate her birthday.”
Gracie’s eyes sparkled with pleasure. “I’m glad, and very much obliged
to you, papa,” she said. “Can Elf come to the party too?” she asked
with a gleeful laugh.
“Yes; he may attend and have a share in entertaining the company by
letting them take turns in riding him about the grounds,” replied her
father, looking fondly down into the sweet, fair young face upturned to
his.
“I’m ever so glad for you, Gracie,” remarked Lulu heartily. “Will you
invite Fairy and me to your party?”
“Why yes, of course,” said Gracie. “I couldn’t enjoy it without my big
sister that’s always so kind to me, and if Fairy comes the girls can
ride two at a time. Can’t they, papa?”
“Yes; and when Lulu has her birthday party she can make a return by
inviting you and Elf.”
“Oh, papa, am I to have one too?” exclaimed Lulu, jumping for joy.
“Yes; if nothing happens to prevent. And Max shall have one on his
birthday, if he wishes.”
“If nothing happens to prevent?” repeated Lulu, sobering down. “I
suppose that means if I’m good and obedient and don’t get into a
passion?”
“A failure in that line would certainly be something to prevent,”
answered her father, “but there might be something else, sickness for
instance.”
Going close to his side, “Papa, if I should get into a passion would I
have to lose my pony?” she asked in an under tone.
“Yes; for a time; ought you not to, since he is given you as a reward
for controlling your temper?”
“Yes, sir; that’s just and right; but oh, I hope I shan’t have to!”
“So do I. I should be very sorry to deprive you of her even for a day.”
Grace’s guests arrived in due time. It was a lawn and garden party, and
a complete success, the ponies contributing largely to the enjoyment.
The captain stayed with the children constantly to assist in supplying
amusement for them, and to guard them against possible accident in
mounting and riding the ponies, though the little fellows were almost
as gentle and quiet as lambs.