Rosie, too, grown to
a great girl! Glad to see you, dear." But the first carriage had moved on;
the second had come up and discharged its living freight, and Mr.
Travilla, with Vi in his arms, Elsie leading her eldest daughter and son,
had stepped upon the veranda, followed by Dinah with the babe.
"Dear grandpa," Mrs. Travilla said, in tender, tremulous tones, dropping
her children's hands to put her arms about his neck, as he turned from
Rosebud to her, "my poor, dear grandpa, we will all try to comfort you,
and make your old age bright and happy. See, here are your
great-grandchildren ready to rise up and call you blessed."
"God bless you, child!" he said, in quivering tones, embracing her with
more affection than ever before. "And this," laying his hand on wee
Elsie's head, "is yourself as you were at the same age."
"I'm very sorry for you, dear old grandpa; mamma has told me all about
it," the little girl softly whispered, putting her small arms about his
neck as he stooped to give her a kiss.
"Me too," Eddie put in, offering his hand and lips.
"That's right; good boy; good children. How are you, Travilla? You've come
back to find ruin and desolation where you left beauty and prosperity;"
and the aged voice shook with emotion.
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