aid, "Children, your mamma and I are going to drive
into the city, and will take you all along: and, as I suppose you would
like to do some Christmas shopping, I shall advance your next week's
allowance,--perhaps furnish something over," he added, with a kindly
smile.

All three young faces had grown very bright, and there was a chorus of
thanks.

"We expect to start in a few minutes after prayers," the captain went
on, "and so there will be no school to-day."

"We like school, papa," said Grace. "I never liked it half so well
before."

"Nor I." "Nor I," cried the other two.

"But you are glad of a holiday once in a while, nevertheless?" their
father said, with a pleased look.

"Oh, yes, indeed, papa! 'specially when it is to go somewhere with you,"
replied Grace; and again the others gave a hearty assent.

When family worship was over, the captain handed a little roll of
bank-notes to each, saying, "Now run away, and get yourselves ready for
your ride. Put on your warmest clothing, for the wind is sharp."

They flurried out into the hall; then Lulu hesitated, turned about, and
ran back.

"Papa," she said, rushing up to him, where he sat beside a table, with
some papers before him, and throwing her arm round his neck, "dear papa!
you are just too good and kind to me! Oh, I don't mean to be
disobedient, wilful, or passionate ever again!"

"I am rejoiced to hear you say that, my dear little daughter," he
replied, putting his arm round her, hugging her close, and kissing her
tenderly; "and I do not think I shall ever regret any thing I have done
for you or either of the others. It is, to me, the greatest pleasure in
life to do whatever I can to make my children happy."

"I am so, _so_ sorry I was naughty and disobedient last night," she
murmured, laying her cheek to his.

"Dear child," he said, "it is fully and freely forgiven. Now run up to
your room and dress."

Grace called to Lulu as she came up the stairs, "O Lu! come in here a
minute, into my room. Look, look, on the bed! see how many papa has
given me,--ten nice new one dollars."

Lulu counted them as they lay spread out in a row.

"Yes, ten," she said. "O Gracie! isn't it nice? isn't papa kind?"

"'Course he is; kindest man ever was made," said Grace. "Now see how
many you have."

Lulu hastily spread out her roll, and counted the bills. "Nine ones, and
one two," she announced.

"Just as many as mine," said Grace; "and I've got this besides,"