very day that I find you obedient, pleasant-tempered and industrious I
will give each of you twenty-five cents for benevolent purposes."

"Thank you, papa," they both said, their eyes sparkling with pleasure;
Max adding, "That will be a dollar and seventy-five cents a week."

"Yes; and for every week that either one of you earns the quarter every
day, I will add another to bring it up to two dollars."

"O papa, how nice!" exclaimed Lulu. "I mean to try very hard, so that I
may have enough to support a little Indian girl. And is Gracie to have
the same?"

"Certainly; and I shall not be greatly surprised if Gracie's missionary
box fills faster than either of the others."

"I am almost sure it will," said Lulu, sobering down a good deal; "and
Max's will be next. But I do mean to try ever so hard to be good."

"I am quite sure you do, dear child," her father responded in tender
tones. "I know my little girl wants to improve, and I shall do all I can
to help her."

"Papa, is that quarter a day for good conduct, to be in addition to our
usual pocket money?" asked Max.

"Certainly, my son; your pocket money is your own, to use for your
pleasure or profit, except what you feel that you ought, or desire to
give of it; but the quarter is expressly, and only for benevolent
purposes."

"When may we begin to earn it, papa?"

"To-morrow."

"I'm glad of that," said Lulu with satisfaction, "because I want to earn
a good deal before Christmas."

Then she told of Evelyn's suggestions in regard to gifts for the poor in
their immediate neighborhood.

"A very good idea," her father said, "and I think it may be carried out
in a way to yield enjoyment to both givers and receivers."

"I hope it will be cold enough at Christmas time to make ice and snow
for sleighing and sledding," Max remarked; "for we boys have planned to
have a good deal of fun for ourselves and the girls too, if it is."

"You mean if there is sleighing and sledding," his father said with an
amused look. "It might be cold enough, yet the needed snow or ice be
lacking."

"Why, yes, sir, to be sure, so it might!" Max returned, laughing good
humoredly.

"What kind of fun is it you boys have planned for us girls?" asked Lulu.

"Never you mind," said Max; "you'll see when the time comes; the
surprise will be half of it you know."

"My dear, you seem to me a very wise and kind father," Violet remarked
to her husband when they found themselves alone together