ut had so long
since passed away to the better land.

But just at that moment Violet drew near with a light, quick step.

"The boat is at the landing, little girls," she said, "and we older
folks want to be off. Please put on your hats, coats too,--or carry some
kind of wrap,--for the captain says it may be quite cool on the water
before we return."

"A summons we're delighted to receive," returned Rosie, springing to her
feet and hurrying toward the hall door, the others following, all of
them in gay good humor.

No one was missing from that boating excursion, and on their return, a
little before tea time, all spoke of having had a most enjoyable
afternoon.

CHAPTER XX.

After tea, when all were together upon the front veranda, Grandma Elsie
in a reclining chair, the others grouped about her, the talk turned upon
the approaching Christmas and how it should be celebrated--what gifts
prepared for friends and servants.

Various plans were suggested, various gifts spoken of, but nothing
settled.

The little girls took a deep interest in the subject, and when they
separated for the night each one's thoughts were full of it; Lulu's
perhaps even more so than those of any other, not of what she might
receive, but what she would like to give.

"Papa," she said, when he came into her room to bid her good-night, "I
do so want to make some pretty things to give at Christmas time. Please,
won't you let me?" and look and tone were very coaxing.

"My dear little daughter," he replied, taking possession of an
easy-chair and drawing her to a seat upon his knee, "it would give me
much pleasure to indulge you in this, but you have lost a good deal of
time from your studies of late, and I know very well that to allow you
to engage in the manufacture of Christmas gifts would have the effect
of taking your mind off your lessons in a way to prevent you from making
much, if any, progress with them."

"Then you won't let me, papa?"

"No, my child. If you choose you may use your pocket-money, and some
more that I will give you, to buy what you please, that will not make
any work for you. Your studies must be faithfully attended to, and the
greater part of your remaining time I wish you to spend in out-of-door
amusements which will, I hope, both give you much pleasure and keep you
in vigorous health.

"I could not bear to see my dear eldest daughter growing pale and thin,
or failing to improve her mind and talents so th