It was a lovely October day, the air balmy, the woods gorgeous in their
richly colored autumn robes; gold, scarlet and crimson, russet and green
mingled in gay profusion; the slanting beams of the descending sun fell
athwart the lakelet, like a broad band of shimmering gold, and here and
there lent an added glory to the trees. The boat glided swiftly over the
rippling waters, now in sunshine, now in shadow, and the children hushed
their merry clatter, silenced by the beauty and stillness of the scene.
Tea was waiting when they returned, and on leaving the table the younger
ones bade good-night, and went away with Vi to be put to bed.
She had a story or some pleasant talk for them every night; doing her
best to fill mamma's place.
Vi was glad to find her grandpa alone in the library when she came down
again.
"Come, sit on my knee, as your dear mamma used to do at your age," he
said, "and tell me what you have been doing these past weeks while I have
seen so little of you."
"It is so nice," she said as she took the offered seat, and he passed his
arm about her, "so nice to have a grandpa to pet me; especially when I've
no father or mother at home to do it.
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