"It is nothing new, little wife," he answered cheerfully; "but I am
doubting whether I do right to give your mother and grandfather so
troublesome a charge as Lulu. She is almost certain to be wilful and
rebellious occasionally, if not oftener."

Mrs. Travilla had resigned the babe to its mother, and was now standing
near the sofa where the captain and Violet sat.

"Mamma," said the latter, turning to her, "my husband is making himself
miserable with the fear that Lulu will prove too troublesome to you and
grandpa."

"Please do not, captain," Elsie said brightly, accepting the easy-chair he
hastened to bring forward for her. "Why should I not have a little trouble
as well as other people? Lulu is an attractive child to me, very bright
and original, a little headstrong, perhaps, but I shall lay siege to her
heart and try to rule her through her affections."

"I think that will be the better plan," he said, the look of care lifting
from his brow; "she is a warm-hearted child, and more easily led than
driven. But she is sometimes very impertinent, and I would by no means
have her indulged in that. I wish you would promise me never to let it
pass without punishment. She must be taught respect for authority and for
her superiors."

Elsie's face had grown very grave while he was speaking. "What punishment
do you prescribe?" she asked. "The child is yours."

"That should depend upon the heinousness of the offence," he replied. "I
can only say, please treat her exactly as if she were your own."

Mr. and Mrs. Dinsmore now joined them, and the question what studies the
children should pursue during the coming winter was discussed and settled.
Then the captain spoke of reading matter, asked advice in regard to
suitable books and periodicals, and begged his friends to have a careful
oversight of all the mental food of his children.

"You could not intrust that matter to a more wise and capable person than
papa," Elsie said, with an affectionate, smiling look at her father. "I
well remember how strict he was with me in my childhood; novels were
coveted but forbidden sweets."

"You must have been glad when you were old enough to read them, mamma,"
remarked Zoe, joining the circle.

"You read far too many, my little woman," said Mr. Dinsmore, pinching her
rosy cheek. "If I were Edward, I should curtail the supply, and try to
cultivate a taste for something better."

"But I'm a married woman and sha'n't submit to being t