"How happy they
Who, from the toil and tumult of their lives,
Steal to look down where nought but ocean strives."
--_Byron._
Violet was alone, lying on the bed, resting after her bath, not asleep,
but thinking dreamily of home and mother.
"Only one more day and my week here will be up," she was saying to
herself. "I've had a delightful time, but oh I want to see mamma and the
rest!"
Just then the door opened and Mary came in with a face all smiles. "O
Vi, I'm so glad!" she exclaimed, seating herself on the side of the bed.
"What about, cousin?" Violet asked, rousing herself, and with a keen
look of interest.
"I have just had the offer of a furnished cottage for two or three
weeks--to keep house in, you understand--and I can invite several
friends to stay with me, and it won't cost half so much as boarding
here, beside being great fun," Mary answered, talking very fast in her
excitement and delight. "Charlie will stay with me, I think, and I hope
you and Edward will, and I have two girl friends at home whom I shall
invite. One is an invalid, and needs the change, oh so badly; but
though they are not exactly poor people, not the kind one would dare
offer charity to, her father couldn't afford to give her even a week at
any of these hotels or boarding-houses: and she did look so wistful and
sad when I bade her good-bye. 'I can hardly help envying you, Mary,' she
said, 'though I am ever so glad you are going. But I have such a longing
to get away from home for a while--to go somewhere, anywhere, for a
change. I'm so weak and miserable, and it seems to me that if I could
only go away I should get well. I haven't been outside of this town for
years.'"
Violet's eyes filled with tears. "Poor thing!" she said. "I have always
travelled about so much, and enjoyed it greatly. I wonder why it is I
have so many more pleasures and blessings than other people."
"I hope they may never be fewer," Mary said, caressing her. "But isn't
it nice that now I can give poor Amy Fletcher--for that is her name--two
or three weeks here at the sea-shore?"
"Yes, indeed! But you haven't told me how it happens."
In reply to this Mary went on to say that a married friend who had
rented the cottage she had spoken of for the year, now found that he
must take his family away for a short time, mountain air being
recommended for his wife, who was in poor health, and as it would cost
no more to have the cottage occupied in their absence than to leave it
empty, he had offered her the use of it rent free.
"He saw father and mother last week," she added in conclusion, "and
talked it over with them, and they have written me to accept his offer
by all means, and stay as long at the shore as I can."
"But you are to visit us, you know."
"Yes, afterward, if that will do. I don't intend to miss that pleasure
if I can help it," Mary answered gleefully. "Now about my other friend,
Ella Neff. She is not an invalid, but she teaches for her support, and I
know such a change would do her a world of good. She wanted to come with
me, but couldn't afford it; yet I'm sure she can in this way: for beside
the difference of board there will not be the same necessity for fine
dress."
"I should never have thought of that," said Vi.
"No, of course not, you fortunate little lassie; you have never known
anything about the pinchings of poverty--or the pleasures of economy,"
she added merrily, "for I do assure you there is often real enjoyment in
finding how nicely you can contrive to make one dollar do the work of
two--or 'auld claes look amaist as weel's the new.' But oh, don't you
think it will be fun to keep house, do our own cooking and all?"
"Yes," Violet said; "yes, indeed."
"And you'll stay, won't you? Don't you think you'd enjoy it?"
"Oh, ever so much! but I don't believe I can wait any longer than till
to-morrow to see mamma. Besides, I don't know whether she would
approve."
"Well, if you should spend a day at home and get her consent to come
back; how would that do?"
Vi thought that plan might answer, if Edward were willing to make one of
the party at the cottage.
"We must consult the lads at once," said Mary. "Let me help you dress,
and we'll go in search of them."
Vi sprang up, and with her cousin's assistance made a rapid toilet.
They found Edward and Charlie in the summer-house, just across the road,
waiting for the call to dinner. Fortunately no one was within hearing,
and Mary quickly unfolded her plan.
It was heard with delight. "Splendid! Capital! Of course we'll be glad
to accept your invitation," they said: Edward, however, putting in the
provision, "If mamma sees no objection."
"Or grandpa," added Violet.
"All the same," said Edward; "mamma never approves of anything that he
does not."
"Where is the cottage? Can we look at it?" asked Charles.
"Yes; the family left this morning, and I have the key," Mary answered.
"We could take possession to-night if we chose; but I must lay in some
provisions first."
"Let's walk up (or down, whichever it is) after dinner and look at it."
"Yes, Charlie, if Edward and Vi are agreed. It is up, on this street,
about two blocks from here."
"Directly in front of the ocean? That's all right."
"Or the ocean directly in front of it," Mary returned laughingly.
"All the same; don't be too critical, Miss Keith," said Charlie.
They did not linger long over dinner or dessert, but made haste to the
cottage, eager to see what accommodations it afforded.
It was small, the rooms few in number, and mere boxes compared to those
Edward and Violet had been accustomed to at Ion and Viamede; and very
much more contracted than those of the cottage their mother was
occupying, yet all four were quite satisfied to take up their residence
in it for a season.
"Four bedrooms," remarked Mary reflectively: "two will do for the lads
and two for the lasses. Parlor and dining-room are not very spacious,
but will hold us all when necessary; I don't suppose we'll spend much of
the daytime within doors. By the way, I think we must add Don Keith to
our party--if he'll come."
The boys said "By all means," and Vi raised no objection.
"When do you expect Ella and Amy?" asked Charles, who was well
acquainted with both.
"I telegraphed to mother at once to invite them, and shall expect to see
them about day after to-morrow."
"What sort of provisions do you propose to lay in, Miss Keith?" inquired
Charlie. "I am personally interested in that."
"I do not doubt that in the least, Mr. Perrine," she answered demurely.
"I intend to buy some of the best flour and groceries that I can find."
"Flour? can't you buy bread here?"
"Yes, but perhaps I may choose to exhibit my skill in its manufacture;
also in that of cake and pastry."
"Ah! Well, no objection to that except that we don't want you shut up
in the kitchen when the rest of us are off pleasuring. What about other
supplies?"
"I see you have some idea of what is necessary in housekeeping, Charlie,
and I'll give you a good recommendation to--the first nice girl who asks
me if you'll make a good husband," Mary returned, looking at her cousin
with laughing eyes.
"Am I to have an answer to my question, Miss Keith?" he inquired with
dignity.
"Yes, when I see fit to give it. The Marstons were, of course, served
with butter, eggs, milk and cream, fish, flesh, and fowl, and Mr.
Marston told me he had spoken to the persons thus serving him and his to
do likewise by me and mine: does this explanation relieve your mind, Mr.
Perrine?"
"Entirely. I am satisfied that we are not invited to share starving
rations, which I am morally certain would give me the dyspepsia."
"I think we are very fortunate," Mary remarked, resuming her ordinary
tone; "they have left us bedding, table and kitchen furniture, and we
have nothing whatever to provide except our food, drink and clothing."
"I shall order a carriage for an early hour to-morrow morning," said
Edward, "and drive over to see my mother. Vi will, of course, go along,
and I wish, Cousin Mary, that you and Charlie would go too."
"Thank you very much," Mary said. "I should enjoy it extremely, but
there are some few arrangements to be made here. The girls may come
to-morrow evening, and I must be here and ready to receive them."
Then Charlie decided that he must stay and take care of Mary; so it was
finally arranged that Edward and Violet should go alone, and the former
attend to the ordering of the groceries, and anything else he could
think of that was desirable and did not require to be fresh.
When the carriage containing Edward and Violet drove up to their
mother's door, nearly all the family and their guests were out upon the
beach.
There was instantly a glad shout from Harold, Herbert and Walter, "There
they are!" and they, their sisters and grandfather started at once for
the house, while Mrs. Dinsmore and Mrs. Travilla, who were within,
hastened to the door.
Mrs. Conly and Virginia, slowly sauntering along within sight of the
cottage, looked after those who were hurrying towards it, with smiles of
contempt.
"Such a hugging and kissing as there will be now!" sneered Virginia;
"they will make as much fuss as if they hadn't seen each other for five
years."
"Yes," returned her mother, "and I don't wish to be a spectator of the
sickening scene. Thank fortune I'm not of the overly affectionate kind."
"Mamma, mamma!" cried Violet, springing into the dear arms so joyfully
opened to receive her, "oh, I am so glad, so glad to see you again!"
"Not more glad than mamma is, darling," Elsie said, clasping her close
with tender caresses.
"And you've come home a day sooner than you were expected! how good in
you!" the younger Elsie exclaimed, taking her turn.
"Yes, but not to stay; that is, I mean if mamma consents to--"
But the sentence remained unfinished for awhile, there were so many
claiming a hug and kiss from both herself and Edward; indeed I am afraid
Virginia was so far correct in her prediction that there was as much
embracing and rejoicing, perhaps even more, than there would have been
in the Conly family in receiving a brother and sister who had been
absent for years.
But when all that had been attended to, and the pleasant little
excitement began to subside, it did not take many minutes for mamma and
grandpa and grandma to learn all about the proposed essay in
housekeeping on the part of the young folks.
"What! does my Vi want to leave her mother again so soon?" Mrs. Travilla
said with half reproachful tenderness, putting an arm about the
slender, girlish waist, and pressing another kiss on the softly rounded,
blooming cheek.
"No, mamma dearest," Vi said, blushing and laying her head down on her
mother's shoulder, "but the house here is as full as ever, isn't it?"
"Yes, but that makes no difference; there is plenty of room."
"Well, mamma, I don't like to be away from you, or any of the dear ones,
but I do think it would be great fun for a little while. Don't you?
wouldn't you have liked it when you were my age?"
"Yes, I daresay I should, and I see no great objection, if you and
Edward wish to try it. What do you say, papa?"
"That I think their mother is the right person to decide the question,
and that I do not suppose they can come to any harm," Mr. Dinsmore
answered, with a kindly look and smile directed to Edward and Violet. "I
doubt if I should have allowed you to do such a thing at Vi's age,
Elsie," he added, "but I believe I grow more indulgent with advancing
years--perhaps more foolish."
"No, papa, I cannot think that," she said, lifting her soft eyes to his
with a world of filial tenderness and reverence in their brown depths;
"I lean very much upon the wisdom of your decisions. Well, dears, since
grandpa does not disapprove, you have my full consent to do as you
please in this matter."
They thanked her warmly.
"Cousin Mary would be delighted if Elsie would come too," said Violet,
looking wishfully at her sister, "and so would I. I don't suppose,
mamma, you could spare us both at once, but if Elsie would like to go, I
will stay, and not feel it the least bit of a hardship either," she
added, turning to her mother with a bright, affectionate smile.
"I should be lonely with both my older daughters away," the mother said,
"but I will not be selfish in my love. Elsie may go, too, if she
wishes."
"Dear, kind mamma, selfishness is no part of your nature," her namesake
daughter responded promptly, "but Elsie has not the slightest desire to
go. Yet I thank my sweet sister all the same for her very kind and
unselfish offer," she added, giving Violet a look of strong affection.
"But what is grandpa to do without his merry little cricket?" asked Mr.
Dinsmore, drawing Vi down upon his knee. "For how long is it? one, two,
or three weeks?"
"I don't know, grandpa; perhaps I shall grow tired and homesick, and
want to come back directly."
"Well, no one will be sorry to see you, come when you may."
"You will always be joyfully welcomed," added mamma; "nor Edward less
so. Now let us consider what you will need, and how best to provide it.
I claim the privilege of furnishing all the groceries and everything
else for the larder that need not be procured upon the spot."
"Oh, thank you, mamma!" said Edward; "but I knew you would."
Violet asked and obtained permission to sleep with her mother that
night, and all day long was scarcely absent from her side. Evidently the
child had a divided heart, and was at times more than half inclined to
stay at home.
But Edward urged that he would not half enjoy himself without her, that
she had promised to go if mamma did not withhold consent, and that Mary
would be sadly disappointed if she failed to return with him. Donald
Keith, too, who was still there, and had accepted Mary's invitation,
added his persuasions. "He was sure they would have a very pleasant
time, and if she grew homesick she could drive home any day in a couple
of hours; he would be glad to bring her over himself if she would let
him, or she could come in less time by the cars."
Then her mother came to her help. "I think it will be best for you to
go, dear, even if you should stay but a day or two," she said. "And if
your grandpa likes, he and I will drive over with you, and see your snug
little cottage, and whether there is anything we can do to add to the
comfort or enjoyment of those who are to occupy it for a season."
"A very good idea, daughter," Mr. Dinsmore said, and Vi's rather
troubled face grew bright.
"Oh how nice, mamma!" she exclaimed. "I will go without any more foolish
hesitation, although I do not think Edward is quite correct in saying I
promised."
"Foolish enough!" sneered Virginia, who prided herself on her audacity
in making disagreeable remarks. "I should be very much ashamed of myself
if I were half the mother baby you are."
"And I," remarked Mr. Dinsmore severely, irritated out of all patience
by the pained look in Vi's face, "should be more ashamed of my sweet
little granddaughter if she were as heartless and ready to wound the
feelings of others as a certain niece of mine seems to be."
"Will you come to my house-warming, Mrs. Perkins, you and Fred and
Susie?" asked Mary Keith as they left the breakfast-table of the
Colorado House the next morning. "I expect my cousins the Travillas
about dinner-time, and the morning train may bring the other guests. I
mean to be all ready for them at any rate. The dinner is to be prepared
with my own hands, and though it will be on a small scale compared with
those served here, you shall at least have a hearty welcome."
"Thank you, we would be delighted, but are already engaged for the
picnic," Mrs. Perkins said.
So they parted with mutual good wishes, each hoping the other would have
an enjoyable day.
Charles and Mary made themselves busy in seeing to the removal to the
cottage of their own and cousin's luggage, making some purchases at the
provision stores, and some rearrangements of furniture; then about the
dinner, Mary pressing Charlie into her service as sheller of peas,
husker of corn, and beater of eggs.
They had a very merry time over their work, though Charlie protested
vigorously against being set at such menial tasks, and declared that
"Ed" should be made to do a fair share of them in future.
Mary sent him to the train to meet the girls, while she stayed behind to
watch over the dinner.
He had scarcely gone when a carriage drew up at the door, and Mr. and
Mrs. Dinsmore, Mrs. Travilla, Edward and Violet, and Donald Keith
alighted therefrom and came trooping in, most of them laden with
parcels, while the driver brought up the rear, carrying a large hamper
that seemed to be well filled and heavy.
Mary's first emotion on seeing the arrival was delight, the second a
sudden fear that her dinner would not suffice for so many.
But that fear was relieved at sight of the hamper and a whisper from Vi,
who headed the procession, that it contained such store of provision as
would obviate the necessity of much cooking for several days to come.
"Oh how good and kind in your mother!" Mary exclaimed in a like low
tone, then hastened to welcome her guests with unmixed pleasure.
"O Cousin Elsie, how nice in you to come and to bring Edward and Violet!
You are going to let them stay, I am sure, and I am so glad. So glad to
see you, too, Cousin Rose and Cousin Horace: it seems as if I ought to
call you aunt and uncle, though."
"Then suppose you do," Mr. Dinsmore said, shaking hands with her, and
kissing her rosy cheek. "You have my permission."
"I shall, then, and thank you," she returned in her bright merry tones.
"O Don," turning to Mr. Keith with outstretched hands, "so here you are!
that's a good boy."
"Yes, and so good a boy must not be put off with less than others get,"
he said, following Mr. Dinsmore's example.
"Well, as you are only a cousin it doesn't matter," she remarked
indifferently. "Please all make yourselves at home. Oh there's the
stage stopping at the gate! the girls have come!" and she flew out to
welcome them.
The little parlor was quite inconveniently crowded, but that afforded
subject for mirth, as Mary introduced her friends and bustled about
trying to find seats for them all.
"We shall have to take dinner in relays or else set a table in here,
besides the one in the dining-room," she said, laughing.
"Let Amy and me go to our room and dress while your first set eat, and
give us our dinner afterwards," suggested Ella Neff.
"Yes, I should much prefer it," Miss Fletcher said, "for we are really
too dusty and dirty to sit down to your table now."
"And I shall act as waiter to the first table and eat with these ladies
at the second," said Charlie.
"Very well, I can manage to seat the rest," Mary said; and so it was
arranged.
The dinner proved very nice and very abundant with the help of the
contents of the hamper. Mary's cooking received many praises, in which
Charlie claimed a share, because, as he said, he had assisted largely.