stairway.

"You two happy children!" she said, glancing smilingly back at them.

"Children!" echoed Edward. "Mrs. Raymond, how can you be so
disrespectful to your elder brother?--your senior by some two years."

"Ah! but your united ages are much less than Levis's and mine; and
husband and wife make but one, don't they?" she returned gayly, as she
tripped away.

Baby was almost herself again, and the young mother's heart was full of
gladness.

She joined the group on the veranda, her husband receiving her with a
glad smile and tender caress, and standing by his side, her hand on his
shoulder, his arm half supporting her slight, girlish form, listened
with lively interest to the story his children were telling so eagerly,
of papa's kindness and generosity to them, and the many lovely things
bought to make beautiful and attractive the rooms in the new home that
were to be especially theirs.

He let them talk without restraint for some moments, then said
pleasantly, "Now, my dears, it is time for you to go and make yourselves
neat for the tea-table. Any thing more you think of that would be likely
to interest Rosie and Walter, you can tell them afterwards."

The order was obeyed promptly and cheerfully, even by Lulu.

When the excitement of telling about their purchases, and all the day's