let, with an
affectionate glance from one to the other; "I am quite sure she will if
she continues to try as she has done to-day. And it makes my heart rejoice
to see how you love one another, dear children."

"I think everybody loves Gracie, because she's hardly ever naughty," said
Lulu; "I wish I'd been made so."

CHAPTER VIII.

"Where'er I roam, whatever realms to see,
My heart untravelled fondly turns to thee."
--Goldsmith.

"How very pretty, Zoe!" said Violet, examining her young sister-in-law's
work, a piece of black satin upon which she was embroidering leaves and
flowers in bright-colored silks.

"Oh, isn't it!" cried Lulu, in delighted admiration. "Mamma Vi, I'd like
to learn that kind of sewing."

"So you shall, dear, some day; but mamma's theory is that plain sewing
should be thoroughly mastered first. That has been her plan with all her
children, and Rosie has done scarcely any fancy work yet."

"But mamma has promised to let me learn all I can about it this winter,"
remarked Rosie, with much satisfaction.

"Mamma," Zoe said, with a blush, "I'm afraid I ought to join your
plain-sewing class. I should be really ashamed to exhibit any of my work
in that line."

"Well, dear child, I shall be glad to receive you as a pupil if you
desire it," Elsie returned, giving her a motherly glance and smile.

"Hark!" exclaimed Zoe, hastily gathering up her work, her cheeks rosy and
eyes sparkling with pleasure. "I hear Edward's step and voice," and she
tripped out of the room.

"How fond she is of him!" Violet remarked, looking after her with a
pleased smile.

"Yes," said her mother, "it does my heart good to see how they love each
other. And I think we are all growing fond of Zoe."

"Yes, indeed, mamma!" came in chorus from her three daughters.

"I'm sure we are; my husband and I as well as the rest," added Mrs.
Dinsmore.

"And, Vi," said Elsie Leland laughingly, "I really think mamma's new sons
are as highly appreciated in the family as her new daughter, and that all
three doat upon their new mother. Mamma, Lester says you are a pattern
mother-in-law, and I answer, 'Of course; mamma is a pattern in every
relation in life.'"

"My child, don't allow yourself to become a flatterer," returned her
mother gravely.

"Zoe, Zoe, where are you?" Edward was calling from below.

"Here," she answered, running down to meet him. "I've been in the
school-room with mamm