e," she added with heightened color;
"if he ventured such a thing I should take her immediately away."

Her father regarded her with an amused smile. "I have seldom seen you so
excited, so nearly angry, as at that thought," he remarked. "But Rosie is
not at all likely to give him any pretext for so doing; nor is Evelyn;
they are both remarkably even-tempered and painstaking with their
studies.

"However, I shall warn Signor Foresti in regard to his treatment of all
three of the little girls sent by us to the school; telling him that if
they are idle or wanting in docility and respect, he is simply to report
them for discipline at home. Will that answer, Violet?"

"Nicely, thank you, grandpa," she said, with a sigh of relief.

Lulu looked but half satisfied when her mamma reported the result of her
intercession with those higher in authority; but seeing there was nothing
more to be gained, quietly submitted to the inevitable.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE COLLISION.

It was a blessing to Lulu at this time that she had such a friend as
Evelyn Leland constantly at her side in the schoolroom and on the
playground. Their mutual affection grew and strengthened day by day. Eva
was most anxious to be a true and helpful friend to her dear Lulu; and
how could she better prove herself such than by assisting her to conquer
in the fight with her fiery temper which had so often got her into sore
trouble?

Evelyn set herself earnestly to the task; urged Lulu to renewed efforts,
encouraged her after every failure with assurances of final victory if
she would but persevere in the conflict; also was ever on the watch to
warn her of threatening danger.

Did she see anger begin to flash from Lulu's eye or deepen the color on
her cheek, she would remind her of her good resolutions by an entreating
look or a gentle touch or pressure of her hand.

She thus warded off many an outburst of passion, and Lulu, like the
others, was able each week to carry home a good report of conduct; of
lessons also, for she was much interested in her studies, very ambitious
to excel, and therefore very industrious and painstaking.

All went well for the five or six weeks between their entrance into the
school and the Christmas holidays.

The older people were careful to make that holiday week a merry time for
the children. Each one received numerous beautiful gifts, and visits were
exchanged with the families of Magnolia Hall and the parsonage.

Sc