"Just hear Polly," exclaimed Lulu; "it does seem as if she must have
sense. I suppose she does think it's time for breakfast."

"Does she drink coffee?" asked Eva.

"Yes; she is very fond of it. She gets a cup every morning."

"She's a very amusing pet, I think," remarked Evelyn. "What fun it will
be to teach her to say all sorts of cute things!"

"Yes," sighed Lulu, "but papa says if she should hear angry, passionate,
or willful words from my lips she may learn and repeat them to my shame
and sorrow. But oh I hope I never shall let her hear such!"

"I don't believe you ever will say such words any more, dear Lu," Eva
said with an affectionate look into her friend's face. "I don't believe
you have ever been in a passion since--since the time that little Elsie
had that sad fall."

"No, I have not been in a rage, but I have said some angry words a few
times, and oh--as you must remember that I told you--some very
rebellious and insolent ones to my dear papa--not so long ago. Oh dear,
I'm afraid my tongue can never be tamed!

"Papa made me learn that third chapter of James that says 'the tongue is
a fire, a world of iniquity and that no man can tame it.' Then he talked
to me so nicely and kindly about learning to rule my tongue and make it
always speak as it ought--wise, kind, pleasant words. And he told me the
only way to do it was by getting my heart right--by God's help--because,
as the Bible tells us in another place, it is out of the abundance of
the heart that the mouth speaketh."

"Your father takes a great deal of pains to teach and help you, dear Lu,
doesn't he?" said Eva.

"Yes, yes, indeed!" returned Lulu, with warmth; "all his children, but
especially me, I think, because I'm the naughtiest and have the hardest
work trying to be good. I'm often surprised at papa's patience with me
and the trouble he takes to help me in my hard fight with my passionate,
wilful temper."

Just then Grace's voice was heard at the door, "Happy New Year, Eva and
Lu! May I come in?"

"Yes, come. Happy New Year to you," cried both girls, Lulu running and
taking her sister in her arms to hug and kiss her.

"You darling child! You look bright and well. Are you?"

"Yes, you old woman," laughed Gracie, returning the hug and kisses; "and
I'm all ready for breakfast. Are you?"

"No, not quite."

"I am," said Eva. "Shall we go into the sitting-room, Gracie, and wait
there for Lu?"

"Yes," answered Grace, leading the way