le.

"It'll be just the same as having to write a composition every day,"
grumbled Lulu. "I wish papa wouldn't be so hard on us. I have to study
lessons a whole hour every evening, and then it'll take ever so long to
write that, and I shall not have a bit of time to play."

"I wish I could write," little Gracie said, with a half sigh. "If I could,
I'd like to talk that way to papa."

"You shall learn, darling," Violet said, caressing her with gentle
fondness. "Would you like to begin now?"

"Oh, yes, mamma!" cried the child eagerly.

"Then bring me your slate, and I will set you a copy. Max and Lulu, would
you like to bring your writing-desks in here, and let me give you any help
you may need?"

Both assented to the proposal with thanks, and were presently seated near
her, each with open desk, a fresh sheet of paper spread out upon it, and
pen in hand.

"I think that until you are a little used to the business, it would be
well to compose first with a pencil, then copy in ink," remarked Violet.
"And here," taking it from a drawer in her writing-desk, as she spoke,
"is some printing paper which takes pencil mark much better than the more
highly glazed paper which we use ordinarily in writing letters."

She gave each of them a pile of neatly cut sheets and a nicely sharpened
pencil.

They thanked her, and Max set to work at once.

Lulu sat playing with her pencil, her eyes on the carpet. "I don't know
how to begin!" she exclaimed presently in an impatient tone. "What shall I
say first, Mamma Vi?"

"Write down the date and then--Suppose you dictate to me, if that will be
any easier."

"Thank you, ma'am, I think it would till I get into the way of it," Lulu
said, handing over her paper and pencil with a sigh of relief.

"Now," said Violet, encouragingly, "just imagine that you are sitting on
your papa's knee and answering the question, 'What have you been doing all
day?'"

"As soon as I was dressed and ready for breakfast, I went to Grandma
Elsie's dressing-room, along with Rosie and the others, to say Bible
verses, and hear Grandma Elsie talk about them and pray. Will that do,
Mamma Vi?"

"Very nicely, dear; it is just what your papa wants, I think."

Lulu's brow cleared, and she went on stating briefly the doings of the now
closing day in the due order of their succession, Violet's pen nearly
keeping pace with her tongue.

"And here we are--Max and Gracie and I--sitting with Mamma Vi in her
boudoir,