I had been accustomed, since my residence in the family, to
spend my evening mostly with them in the parlor; but on that evening I
remained in my own room, feeling that I should be an intruder upon that
family reunion. I took up a book and endeavored to interest myself in
its pages. I could distinctly hear the joyous murmur of voices from
below, varied by bursts of laughter, not loud, but strikingly mirthful.
I soon heard light footsteps ascending the stairs; the next moment
Birdie rushed in, exclaiming,
"Mamma says she has been so much occupied that she had almost forgotten
you; but she says you must come down at once; you mustn't sit here alone
when we are all so happy."
I begged to be excused from going down, saying that they would probably
prefer being left to themselves on this evening of Willie's return.
"Oh!" said she, "Papa and mamma both expect you to go down."
Fearful of giving offence, and after making some slight alterations in
my dress, I accompanied Birdie down stairs and entered the parlor.
I believe most persons feel a kind of embarrassment when meeting for the
first time one of whom they have long heard much. I was sensible of this
feeling when I entered the parlor that evening.
Pages:
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43