text: 21
  
  When fall break came the first week of November, the whole Milburn family got on a train for Chicago, and when they arrived, they took a cab to the home of Colleen's family, and for the first time in four years, Colleen was able to see her mother and father. It was a joyous reunion, and Astrid was a little restrained at first around these new people, but soon she was her usual self asking all kinds of questions.
  
  Later that evening, Astrid said, "Grandpa and Grandma have lots of wrinkles, but they're so nice that I love them anyway."
  
  On their third day in the afternoon, Grit took Colleen and Astrid to meet Gridleigh. Astrid and Colleen were awed by the size of the mansion. And when the servant came to the door dressed in red and gold livery, they were without words. The servant led them all into the library and told them the master would be down shortly. They waited nearly 10 minutes before Gridleigh finally came through the side door.
  
  In a weak voice, he said, "I'm sorry... to keep you waiting. It takes me... some time... to get dressed... these days."
  
  "It's okay, father," Grit said. "I'd like you to meet my wife, Colleen, and our daughter, Astrid."
  
  "Oh, so happy to see you," Gridleigh said. "Have... a seat."
  
  They all sat down, and Gridleigh sat in his usual chair, but his movements were slow and shaky.
  
  Astrid, always full of questions, stood and walked over to stand beside Gridleigh's chair. It was obvious he was quite taken with her, but he didn't know what to say. Astrid broke the ice by asking, "Are you my Grandpa?"
  
  "Well... yes, I am your Grandpa, and I'm proud to be your Grandpa."
  
  "Do you like living in this great big house, Grandpa?" Astrid asked.
  
  Gridleigh chuckled, "Well, I've been here 10 years, and it's comfortable for me, I suppose, but your father told me he wouldn't like living here."
  
  "No," she said. "We have a very small house, but it's nice, and we like it. I have my own room, and Papa is building us a new house right now. It's a little larger than the one we're in now, but nothing like yours."
  
  "I hope you'll be very happy in the new house."
  
  "Oh, we will be," Astrid said. "We most always are happy, except when I lost my doll and couldn't find her." Astrid looked around and said, "You sure have a lot of books."
  
  "I've collected them over a long period of time," he said. "Some of them are quite valuable."
  
  "I like reading, but I can only read a little," Astrid said. "I don't know all the words yet, but Mama is teaching me."
  
  Grit sat and marveled at Astrid. She had Gridleigh enthralled, and she was doing nothing but being herself.
  
  "Well, Colleen, it's so nice to meet you," Gridleigh said as his strength and awareness seemed to improve. "Tell me about your life."
  
  "I'm a student at the University of Nebraska, studying to be a teacher," she said. "I was born here in Chicago and attended school with Grit when we were younger."
  
  "Oh, so you've known each other a long time."
  
  "We weren't really close in school, but we met at Fort Sully out in Dakota Territory, where I was a laundress for the soldiers." Grit smiled. Colleen didn't pretend to be anything but herself. No airs at all and no hiding her past, a trait that Grit appreciated most about his wife.
  
  "Oh... interesting," Gridleigh said. "So you have family here."
  
  "My mother and father live on the south side," she said. "Papa works in the city's streets department."
  
  "Well, you sure make a nice couple," Gridleigh said. "And Grit tells me you're expecting your first child."
  
  "Yes, in June," she said. "We're all excited about it."
  
  Soon, a servant rolled in a table with tea and cookies. They all sat at the tea table and Gridleigh asked Astrid, "Do you drink tea?"
  
  "I don't think I've ever had tea, but sometimes Mama lets me drink coffee if there's lots of milk and sugar in it."
  
  "We have lots of milk and sugar, so maybe your mother could prepare your tea the way you like it," Gridleigh said.
  
  "Oh, I'm quite able to do it myself," Astrid said as she reached for the little pitcher of cream.
  
  It was a very cordial afternoon, full of bonhomie and good wishes. As they departed, Grit said, "Father, I'm sorry we didn't know each other better, but if there's anything I can ever do, you have only to ask."
  
  The old man looked up into Grit's eyes, "No, there's nothing anybody can do, but it was good to meet your family before I pass into the next world. I appreciate your taking the time to bring them over. Is there anything I can do for you?"
  
  "No, we're all getting along fine," Grit said.