and laying her cheek to his, her eyes full of tears, a
slight tremble in her voice. "But they are yours, because I am," she
added, laughing a little hysterically. "Oh I'm every bit yours; from the
crown of my head to the soles of my feet."

"Yes, so you are; one of my choice treasures, my darling," he said with
emotion; "and my heart is full of thankfulness to God our heavenly
Father for enabling me to save you from being so sadly maimed."

"And I do think your Mamma Vi is almost as thankful as either of you,"
Violet said, coming to his side and softly smoothing Lulu's hair.

They were in the dressing-room, no one else present but Grace and Max.

"I'm pretty thankful myself," observed the latter jocosely, but with a
telltale moisture about the eyes; "I shouldn't like to have a sister
with a fingerless hand."

"Oh don't, Max! don't talk so!" sobbed Grace, "I just can't bear to
think of such dreadful things!"

Her father turned toward her and held out his hand. She sprang to his
side and he put his arm about her.

"The danger is happily past, my pet," he said, touching his lips to her
cheek; "so dry your eyes and think of something else, something
pleasanter."

"You've got enough of skating, I suppose, Lu? you won't want to try it
again, will you?" asked Max.

"Yes; if papa will let me. I'd like to go back this afternoon. But I'd
want to keep fast hold of him so that I'd be in no danger of falling,"
she added, looking lovingly into his eyes.

"I'll not let you try it in any other way for some time to come," he
said, stroking her hair; "you must become a good deal more proficient in
the use of skates before I can again trust you to go alone; especially
where there are so many other and more skilful skaters."

"I don't care for that, papa, but will you take me there again this
afternoon?"

"We'll see about it when the time comes," he said smiling at her eager
tone, and not ill-pleased at this proof of a persevering disposition.

"Oh!" cried Max, glancing toward the window, "it's snowing fast! Dear,
dear, it will spoil the skating for all of us!"

"But a good fall of snow will provide other pleasures, my son," remarked
the captain in a cheery tone.

"Yes, sir, so it will," returned Max, echoing the tone.

"And beside plenty of indoor amusements have been provided," said
Violet. "I think we can all enjoy ourselves vastly, let the weather
outside be what it will."

"I am sure of it," said her husband. "Gr