Walker in his throne laughing. Crayshaw got up to present himself, and
take the blame on his own shoulders, and John was so much surprised to
find Emily present, and perhaps aiding, that he stopped short in his
inquiry how they had dared to bring him home when he was so busy, and
observing the ridiculous side of the question, sat down at once, and
laughed also, while she said something by way of excuse for them, and
they made the best defence they could.
Emily had the little Anastasia in her arms; the child, tired of
inaction, had fallen asleep, with her delicate rosy cheek leaning
against Emily's fair throat.
John felt the beauty of the attitude, and perceived how Emily's presence
gave completeness to the group.
Much too young to be the mother of the elder children, there was still
something essentially mother-like in all her ways. His children,
excepting the one asleep in her arms, were all grouped on the floor at
her feet. "Just so Janie would have sat, if she had lived," he thought.
"I should often have seen something like this here, as the children grew
older.
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