ed, unless
it should become quite necessary to do so."

"You may be sure Rosie will find it necessary," Lulu said; "she will tell
her mamma all about it--Mamma Vi, too--and it will presently be known all
over the house; even by the Keiths. I wish they weren't here,"

"Don't you like them? I do."

"Yes; Aunt Marcia and Aunt Annis--as we children all call them--are kind
and pleasant as can be; but I'd rather they wouldn't hear about this;
though I don't care so very much either," she added, half defiantly.
"What difference does it make what people think of you?"

"Some difference, surely," said Evelyn, gently; "for the Bible says, 'A
good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor
rather than silver and gold.' Papa used to tell me that to deserve a good
name, and to have it, was one of the greatest blessings of life. I must
go now," she added, pulling out a pretty little watch, one of the last
gifts of that loved father; "Aunt Elsie will be expecting me."

"I wish I could go with you," said Lulu, sighing.

"Oh, that would be nice!" exclaimed Evelyn. "Can't you?"

Lulu shook her head. "Not without leave, and I don't want to ask it now.
Oh, Eva, I do wish I hadn't to obey these people who are no relation to
me!"

"But they are very kind; and Aunt Violet is your father's wife, and loves
you for his sake, I am sure."

"But she's too young to be a real mother to me, and the rest are no
relation at all. I begged papa not to say I must obey them, but he would
say it."

"Then, loving him so dearly, as I am sure you do, I should think you
would be quite willing to obey them, because it is his will that you
should."

"I don't see that that follows," grumbled Lulu; "and--now you will think
me very bad, I know--I have sometimes even refused to obey papa himself."

"Oh, how sorry you will be for it if ever he is taken away from you!" Eva
said, with emotion. "But did he let you have your own way?"

"No, indeed; he is as strict in exacting obedience from his children as
Grandpa Dinsmore himself. I'm dreadfully afraid Grandpa Dinsmore or
somebody will write to him about to-day; I do hope they won't, for he
said if I should be disobedient and troublesome he would take me away
from here and put me in a boarding-school."

"And you wouldn't like that?"

"No, indeed! for how could I bear to be separated from Gracie and Max?"

"I hope you won't have to go; I should be sorry enough on my own account
as w