"There's hardly a chance to get in a word edge-wise, when Frank is at home," said Fred, taking possession of the seat he had vacated. "And I'm sure he doesn't love and admire you more than I do. I want to tell you, as I could not in a letter, what a happy family you have made of us. We took all your lessons to heart, and the improvement in Kitty is marvelous. She is a very interesting little creature, and a great amusement to us. Hatty keeps a journal, and records all her bright speeches." "I am glad of that. You must let me see it. Every mother ought to keep one, if she can." "Did you keep one about me?" "No. You never said anything bright enough. It wasn't your forte to make smart speeches. Frank and Belle made enough to cover anything wanting in the rest of you. Tell me all about the baby now. Do you know Hatty has never written me once since it was born, and that all I know of it is that it is a boy?" "Is that so? Why, I took it for granted Hatty had written. Well, he's a magnificent fellow, exactly like me." "Shall I ever get the conceit out of you, you foolish boy?" she said, looking up at him with loving eyes. "Yes, a magnificent fellow! Almost as big as Kitty, but not at all like her. He has a thick head of hair, dark eyes, and the prettiest little dumpling of a chin, with a dent in it. Kitty nearly eats him up. He's a good-natured chap, too, always laughing and crowing, and kicking up his heels. I tell you what, mother, it's great fun to have a dear little wife and two splendid children. Hatty says she means to have ten." "I don't see but I shall have to add a large wing to this house if that is the case," she said, much amused and pleased. "But they must all be getting together in the library, and we had better join them." "Yes, I suppose so. What were you and Cyril talking about at dinner? I only caught a word or two." "Oh, I was consulting him on a series of articles I was requested to write for a magazine." "Didn't I hear something about editing one?" "I dare say. That was one out of dozens of similar propositions." "They keep you as busy as ever, it seems. And Laura is following in your footsteps. Wasn't it a little tall in her to read her own story, though?" "No; there's nothing tall about her. She's just as fresh and unspoiled as a rose-bud." "I'm glad you think so. I can't bear to think of either of the girls as being like the common feminine run." They descended to the library, and found them all prepared to play some game of wits, with pencil and paper. "Oh, here come mamma and Fred," said Belle, gaily, "and they are two of the brightest at this game. Where are the pencils? I have no pencil." "I bought a box last Christmas," said Frank. "Surely they can't all be gone." "Oh, I'll get them," said Margaret. "I remember putting them in one of the drawers in the library table. Yes, here they are. But they need sharpening."