Max, who was near at hand, had overheard. "That's so!" he said. "I
suppose you mean that I am to go too, papa?"

"Yes; Gracie also. My dear," to Violet, "when will it suit you to
accompany us?--to-morrow?"

"To-morrow is Saturday," she said reflectively. "Suppose we say Monday?
I hope baby will be so much better by that time, that I shall feel easy
in leaving her for a long day's shopping."

"Very well," he said: "we will go Monday morning if nothing happens to
prevent."

"Lulu looks as if she did not know how to wait so long," Violet said,
smiling kindly on the little girl. "Can't you take her and Max and
Gracie to-morrow, and again on Monday? Surely, they can select some
things for their own rooms, with you to help them."

"No. I want your taste as well as my own and theirs, and Lulu must learn
to wait: it is a lesson she needs," he added, looking down at her with
grave kindliness, and pressing affectionately the hand she had slipped
into his.

She flushed, and cast down her eyes.

"Yes, papa," she murmured, "I will try to be good and patient. I'm sure
I ought to be when you are so very good to me."

"Now, captain, if my taste and judgment were considered equal to Vi's,
and Lulu might be spared that lesson," remarked Zoe laughingly, "I'd
offer to go in her place,--Vi's, I mean. I think it would be great fun
to help choose pictures, carpets, and furniture."

"Thank you, Zoe; that is a kind offer," said Violet: "and if mamma
thinks it an enjoyable errand, and will consent to supplement your taste
and judgment with hers, they will be a good deal more than equal to
mine," she concluded, with a smiling glance at her mother.

"I am quite of Zoe's opinion as to the pleasantness of the object of the
expedition, Vi," Elsie said, "and quite at the service of the captain
and yourself, to go, or to take your place in watching over baby while
you go; and I think you will find it necessary to spend more than one
or two days in the work of selecting what you will want for the
furnishing of your home."

"I dare say you are right about that, mother," said the captain; "and as
it seems to be the desire of all parties that the work should be begun
to-morrow, I think I will take the children and as many of you ladies as
may like to accompany us."

"Papa, mayn't we drive to the city in the new carriage?" pleaded Lulu.
"I'd like it ever so much better than going in the cars; and then we can
drive from one store to another,