e
preparations for our southward flitting, so no occasion for you to miss
lessons for so many days. Of course you cannot study on the boats and
cars, at least I shall not ask it of you, and when we get to Viamede
you will be glad of a little holiday to rest and run about, seeing
everything that is to be seen; and all that will cause quite sufficient
loss of time from your lessons."

"Oh, dear," sighed Lulu, "I think it must be ever so nice to be grown up
and not have any lessons to learn."

"Ah, Lu," laughed Violet, "I am not so sure that grown up folks have no
lessons to learn; in fact I begin to have an idea that their lessons are
not seldom more trying and wearisome than those of the children."

"Yes, Mamma Vi," responded Lulu, with a blush, "and I'm sorry and
ashamed of my grumbling. Papa, I'm just determined I will be good and do
cheerfully whatever you bid me; I have always, always found your way the
very best in the end."

"Why, yes, Lu; of course papa always knows far better than we do what is
best for us," said Grace, leaning lovingly up against him and smiling up
into his face.

"Papa is very happy in having such loving, trustful little daughters,"
he said, passing his hand caressingly over Gracie's golden curls.

CHAPTER XVI.

It was a most joyful surprise to Max when, on the following Saturday,
his father and sisters walked in upon him, as he left the dinner table
full of life and pleasure at the thought of the half holiday that had
just begun.

His standing and conduct had been such that he was entitled to leave,
and to be able to spend it with these dear ones was most delightful.

A carriage had brought the captain and his little girls to the door, and
they--father and children--took a long drive together, during which the
tongues of Max and Lulu ran very fast.

She and Gracie thoroughly enjoyed Max's surprise on learning of the
plans for the winter, so soon to be carried out.

At first he seemed to feel rather badly at the thought that they would
all be so far away from him; but he presently got over that, as his
father spoke of the letters he would receive from Viamede every day, and
how quickly the winter would pass and all be coming home again, some of
them--certainly himself--making haste to pay a visit to the Academy to
see their young cadet and learn what progress he was making in
preparing for future duty in the naval service of his country.

At that Max's face brightened and