oam, whatever

velled fondly

lds

ster-in-law's work, a piece of black satin upon which she w

ighted admiration. "Mamma Vi, I'd

ing should be thoroughly mastered first. That has been her plan wit

rn all I can about it this winter," r

t to join your plain-sewing class. I should be real

you as a pupil if you desire it," Elsie retu

r cheeks rosy and eyes sparkling with pleasure. "I hear

iolet remarked, looking aft

good to see how they love each other. An

" came in chorus fro

and and I as well as the

the family as her new daughter, and that all three doat upon their new mother. Mamma, Lester says you

elf to become a flatterer,"

e you?" Edward was

e school-room with mamma and the others," she added, as she gain

o kiss the ruby lips. "I thou

holding up her work. "I've been busy with this. It was the se

r many a time while mamma a

a beautiful reader! Bu

r to enter, then followed her in. "I've come now to hear your recitations. I suppose you are quite

rtified air. "I meant to be, but so many things happened to inter

tively, as she paused, co

ight. I really couldn't fix my thoughts on stupid

r, shook his head gravely. "Duties should be attend

e nothing but a child!" she cried

ld," he said, bending down to stroke her ha

ou considered me such a child?" she cried with a half p

right to take care of you, my bonny

exclaimed impulsively, throwing her arms about his neck. "An

rs to write, and we will sit

me over the recitations, then drove together to the nearest vil

ppy by a long lett

hen and where it was written, and that he was wel

th a little sigh of satisfaction, and joined the ot

d Harold, Mrs. Dinsmore some sprightly, gossipy letters from her sisters Adelaide and

ngth Edward, noting the brightness of her count

ngly in excellent spirits at the time of writing,

r with eager, questioning looks, Max and L

not really read the letter yet, but shall do so after

hey followed her to th

mma Vi?" Max asked,

er its first perusal; "I would have you feel as free to come into my apartments as I always have felt to go i

rd, brought into New York by anoth

laced Gracie's own little rocker close to her mamma's side, then stood behi

ye alone. The captain wrote delightful letters; at least they were such in the esteem of his wife and children. This one provoked

ght an anxious, troubled look to

themselves-their studies, their pleasures, their conduct also. Max telling of himself, Lulu of herself, just as they would if sitting on my knee and answering the questions, 'Wh

as better than they are, not to hide their faults from the father who cares to know of them, only that he may help his dear ch

for a moment, but then, as Violet folded the letter, "I don't wa

. And don't you think it will help you to avoid wrongdoing? to resist temptation? the remembrance that it must be confessed to you

! and oh, I hope I'll never have to make his heart ache o

ther," ad

ll help you at the start. You can each give a

rary way, teaching you to express your thoughts readily in writ

compositions; and that I always

ve to make up anything, only to tell real happenin

g the writing of compositions easier," r

sh papa wouldn't be so hard on us. I have to study lessons a whole hour every evening, an

e said, with a half sigh. "If I coul

said, caressing her with gentle fon

a!" cried the

Max and Lulu, would you like to bring your writing-des

resently seated near her, each with open desk, a fres

in ink," remarked Violet. "And here," taking it from a drawer in her writing-desk, as she spoke, "is some printing p

le of neatly cut sheets an

r, and Max set

. "I don't know how to begin!" she exclaimed presently i

n-Suppose you dictate to me,

t into the way of it," Lulu said, handing ove

at you are sitting on your papa's knee and answerin

e's dressing-room, along with Rosie and the others, to say Bible verses,

it is just what your

oings of the now closing day in the due order of their suc

d she is writing for me the words I tell her, and I'm to copy them off to-morr

ell me if it will do?" asked Max; an

ressed. Now, if you and Lulu choose you may bring your books here and study your

p here with us while the rest of the grown-up people a

racie begins to look weary, so I shall help her to bed and then answer your father's letter. Can't you imagine that I may prefer to t

der, for I think he's the very best and handsomest man in the world,"

laughed Vi. "Come, Gracie, darlin

a!" returned the little one, throwing her arms around

ith a slight effort and heightened color, "Yes, Mamma V

. Expressions of gratitude and affection toward their young stepmother were far less frequent from

listening in her eyes; "if I am, it is because I

ward her, and in the letter she presently began writing she recounted all that had been sho