Capt. Raymond was met at the door by the youngest two of his daughters.
"Papa, I'se been yaisin' seeds," announced little Elsie, running into
his arms.
"Yaisin' seeds," he echoed; "what can that mean?"
"She means seeding raisins, papa," explained Grace, with a merry laugh.
"We've been in the kitchen helping the cook. At least pretending to help
her. Perhaps we hindered more than we helped.'"
"I dare say," he responded; "but I hope Elsie didn't eat the raisins,
nor you either; they are quite too indigestible for your young
stomachs."
"We each had one, papa; that was all. I told Elsie we wouldn't eat any
more till we asked leave, and she was a good little girl and didn't
tease for more."
"That was right; but for your own sakes I must say that is all you can
have."
He had paused for a moment in the hall to pet and fondle the two. Max
and Lulu stood looking on; Harold and Herbert were taking off their
overcoats near by.
"You're a funny talker, Elsie," laughed Max.
"Your English is not of the purest, little woman," said her Uncle
Harold.
"Tell Uncle Harold he must not expect perfection in a beginner," said
her father. "Where are grandma and mamma?"
"In the parlor I believe," said Grace. "Oh no! see, they are just coming
down the stairs."
"Yes, here we are," said Violet; "anxious, for a report of the morning's
proceedings in the magistrate's office. Won't you walk into the parlor,
gentlemen, and let us have it?"
"Certainly, we will be very happy to gratify your very excusable
curiosity," returned her husband laughingly, as she came to his side,
and he stooped his tall form to give her the kiss with which he never
failed to greet her after even a brief separation.
The older people all repaired to the parlor, but the children did not
follow.
"I must go and look over my lessons," said Max.
"And I'm going to my room," said Lulu. "Gracie, if you will come with
me, I'll tell you all about the trial--if that's what they call it."
"O yes, do!" responded Grace, as the two started up the stairs together.
"Were you scared, Lu?"
"No; I didn't feel frightened, for I'm not timid you know, and papa was
near me all the time; and he'd told me all I had to do was to tell a
straightforward, truthful story.
"I did hate to take the oath, but I knew I had to, and that it wasn't
wrong, though it does seem a dreadful thing to do."
"It isn't like other swearing," remarked Max, who was moving on up the
stairs, somewhat ahead of his sisters. "There must be a right kind,
because in the psalms, where David is describing a good man, he says of
him, 'He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.'"
"Yes, I know," said Lulu, "I can see the difference; and this must be
the right kind or papa would never have let us do it."
"How do they do it?" asked Grace. "How did you do it, Lu?"
"A man said over the words for me--a promise to 'tell the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth'--and I promised by kissing the
Bible; that was all."
"That wasn't very hard to do," said Grace, "but oh I'd have been so
frightened to have to tell something with so many people listening!"
"Of course; because you're such a weak, timid little thing; but I'm big
and strong and not afraid of anybody or anything.
"There were a good many people there; the room was quite full; but I
felt that that did not make much difference, when I thought about God
hearing every word I said and knowing if it was really the truth, the
whole truth and nothing but the truth.
"Ajax's wife was there; crying fit to break her heart too; specially
when they took him back to jail.
"Papa stopped and spoke to her before we got into the carriage to come
home. He said he was very sorry for her, but if she continued to be
honest and industrious, he would see that she did not want; and he hoped
her husband would some day come out of prison a better man."
"Did she seem thankful to papa?" asked Grace.
"Yes; and she said she didn't see how Ajax could be so bad and
ungrateful as to try to steal papa's money after he'd been so kind to
her and the children."
"Yes, and I pity 'Liza for being his wife, and the children because they
have such a bad father.
"Lu, let's ask papa if we mayn't buy some calico and other things, with
some of our benevolence money, and make clothes for them."
"I wouldn't mind giving the money," said Lulu, "but I hate to sew on
such things. You know I never did like plain sewing. I'll see about it
though."
"You'd do it to please the dear Lord Jesus, even though you don't like
it?" said Grace softly.
"Yes, that I will, if papa approves," returned Lulu warmly, her eyes
shining. "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."
"Oh I think you would if you'd been in my place," returned Lulu
modestly. "You see I was afraid if I waited to tell papa about them,
they might come out and see him ready to fight them, and kill him; but I
thought if I could get the door shut and fastened on them before they
knew anybody was there, nobody would be hurt."
"And that's the way it was," said Evelyn. "But you _were_ a brave girl
and there's no use in your denying it."
"Yes, indeed, you were," said Rosie. "But come now do tell us the whole
story; we want to hear it fresh from your lips."
"And what went on in the magistrate's office too," added Eva. "Oh
didn't you dislike having to go there and testify?"
"Yes; I begged papa not to make me, but he said it was the law, and not
he, that insisted."
"Yes I know, and of course those things have to be done in such cases;
but I hope my turn will never come. Now, Lu, please begin. You'll have
at least two very attentive listeners."
"More than that, I think," said Rosie, as other voices were heard in the
hall, quickly followed by the entrance of the relatives from the Oaks,
the Pines and Roselands.
And greetings were scarcely exchanged with these when the families from
Ashlands and the Laurels joined the circle; so that quite a large
surprise party had gathered there unexpectedly to themselves as well as
to their hosts. The same desire--to learn the full particulars of what
had reached them as little more than a vague report--had brought them
all.
These were given, and Lulu received so much commendation, and was so
lauded for her bravery, that her father began to fear she would be
puffed up with vanity and conceit.
But at length that subject was dropped and the one of the proposed
Dorcas society taken up.
Evelyn seemed quietly pleased and interested, Zoe, Lora and Rosie ready
to enter into the work with enthusiasm, while the Dinsmore girls gave a
rather languid attention to the discussion.
But when it had been decided to organize a society on the spot, and the
business of electing officers was taken up, they roused themselves to a
new interest, and Maud was evidently gratified when Evelyn nominated her
for the secretaryship.
Lulu seconded the motion and Maud was unanimously elected.
Zoe had already been made president; Lora was chosen treasurer. These
were all the officers considered necessary, but Sydney, Evelyn and Lulu
were appointed a committee to visit the poor families in the
neighborhood and learn what articles of clothing were most needed by
them.
It was decided that the society should meet once a fortnight at one or
the other of the homes of its members, taking them in turn; that at
these meetings reports should be given in as to the state of the
finances, work done, and articles needed; finished garments would also
be brought in, examined and pronounced upon as well or ill done; the
members would busy themselves in cutting and basting new garments while
together, and each carry home with her one or more to be made in the
interval between that and the next meeting.
Also each member was to consider herself under appointment to invite
her young girl, or young lady friends, from other families to join with
them in the good work.
"Now I think that is all," said Grandma Elsie; "you are fully organized
and I invite you to hold your first meeting at Ion, next Wednesday
afternoon. That will give time for ascertaining the needs of some of
those we wish to assist, and the purchase of materials."
"But how are your funds to be raised?" asked her father.
"By a tax on the members, and contributions from their friends, which
will be thankfully accepted," she said with a pleased smile as he took
out his pocket-book and handed her a five dollar bill. "We are very much
obliged, sir."
The captain and other gentlemen present--some of the ladies
also--immediately followed Mr. Dinsmore's example.
Then the question of the amount of tax on the members was discussed and
settled.
After that the captain said he had a suggestion to make; namely that it
would be well for the little girls to be accompanied by an older person
when making their visits to their proposed beneficiaries.
"It will require some wisdom and tact to make the necessary
investigations without wounding the feelings of those they desire to
benefit, or injuring their commendable pride of independence," he said
in conclusion.
"Thank you for the advice, captain," Grandma Elsie replied; "I think it
most wise. What have the members of the society to say about it?"
All responded promptly that they would prefer to have an older person
with them on those occasions.
"And we'd better begin that business to-morrow," said Zoe, "that whoever
is to do the buying of materials to be cut and basted at the first
meeting, may have the needed information in season."
"I hope Grandma Elsie will buy the things," said Lulu. "Don't you all
vote for that, girls?"
"Yes; yes, indeed; if she will," they all answered, and were pleased
that she at once consented to do so.
"Are we boys to be shut out of all this?" asked Max. "I don't see why we
shouldn't take hold of such work as well as the girls. I'm conceited
enough to think I could wield a pair of shears and cut out garments, by
a pattern or under instruction; and I know I can run a sewing machine,
for I've tried it."
"And certainly we could all help with the financial part," said Chester
Dinsmore.
"Let's take them in," said Sydney. "We want all the money we can get."
"Of course we do," said Lora; "the more money we have the more good we
may hope to do."
The others seemed to see the force of the argument and voted unanimously
for the admission of the lads.
"What about home and foreign missionary societies?" asked Evelyn. "I
thought we had decided to have one of each just among ourselves. Was it
the girls only? or will the boys take part in them too?"
"Of course we will, if you'll let us," replied Max; "and you can't have
too much money for them, seeing there are millions upon millions of
heathen to be taught and furnished with Bibles."
"Yes," said the captain, "boys should be as much interested in mission
work as girls, and I see no reason why you young relatives and friends
should not work together.
"But with your studies and other duties to attend to, you have hardly
time for such a multiplication of societies, and as the work is one, the
field the world, I propose that you form only one more society, which
shall be for both home and foreign missions."
"A very good plan, I think," commented Grandpa Dinsmore.
"And I propose that we proceed at once to organize such a society," said
Zoe.
"And shouldn't we have gentlemen officers?" asked Lulu. "I think Uncle
Harold would make a good president."
"Thank you," said he, smiling pleasantly on her, "but I could not serve;
because I must be off to college directly."
"And the same objection applies to all of us except Max and little
Walter," added Chester Dinsmore. "We older lads can only pay our dues
and perhaps meet with you occasionally when at home on a vacation."
"Working for the good cause in the meantime, in whatever place we are,"
added Harold.
"Shall we proceed to organize?" asked Zoe.
"Yes, if Grandma Elsie will help us as she did with the Dorcas," said
Lulu.
The others joined in the request, and Grandma Elsie kindly complied.
Eva was chosen president, Rosie treasurer, and they would have made Lulu
secretary but that she strenuously declined, insisting that she was not
ready enough with her pen to find time for that in addition to all the
sewing and other things she was undertaking.
"Then I nominate Max," said Rosie, giving him a bright look and smile.
"And I second the motion," said Evelyn.
Max made no objection and seemed gratified when he was pronounced
unanimously elected.
They then settled the amount of their yearly subscription to each cause
and the time of meeting, deciding that it should be on the same day and
hour as the meeting of the other society, but on the alternate week.
"And what will we do at our meetings?" asked Sydney.
"What other people do at missionary meetings, I presume," answered Zoe;
"read the Bible, sing hymns, pray for the missionaries and the heathen
at home and abroad."
"Pay in our dues too," said Max; "and I suppose each one will try to
find some interesting article to take to the meeting to be read aloud to
the others."
"Yes; of course we must all do that if we want to have very enjoyable
meetings," said Zoe.
"And we older people must see to it that you are well supplied with
literature bearing on the subject," said the captain.
He was rejoiced to perceive that the interest of these new enterprises
was taking his children's thoughts from the unpleasant occurrences of
the previous night. Almost all their talk with him that evening when the
guests had gone and the babies were being put to bed, was of the work
they hoped to do in connection with their missionary and Dorcas
societies.
To Lulu had been assigned the duty of visiting the family of Ajax, for
the purpose of learning what were their most pressing needs in the line
of clothing.
Speaking of it, she asked, "Ought I not to go to-morrow, papa? and will
you go with me?"
"I say yes to both questions," he replied. "You may be ready for your
call directly we are done with school duties; that will give us time to
go and return in good season for dinner."
"Yes, sir; I'll be ready. Thank you very much for promising to take me."
"Liza must feel lonesome to-night, thinking about Ajax in jail,"
remarked Grace thoughtfully; "but I'm glad he's there so that he can't
be trying to break into anybody's house. Papa, could he get out and come
here again?"
"It is hardly possible," answered her father, looking tenderly down into
her face, and smoothing her curls with caressing hand; "and he would not
want to hurt you if he could come into the house. I don't see how any
one could wish to harm my gentle, kindhearted little Grace."
"Papa, shall I sleep in her bed with her to-night?" asked Lulu.
"Certainly, if she would like it."
"Oh I should!" Grace exclaimed. "I know our heavenly Father will take
care of me, but it's good to feel Lu's arms round me too."
"Then you shall," said Lulu, giving her an affectionate pat, "your big
sister likes to take care of you."