, after Max and
Lulu had gone to their beds. "I very highly approve of the plans you
have just proposed for them. Though, of course the approval of a silly
young thing, such as I, must be a matter of small consequence," she
added, with a merry, laughing look up into his face.

"Young, but not silly," he returned, with a very lover-like look and
smile. "I consider my wife's judgment worth a great deal, and am highly
gratified with her approval. I am extremely desirous," he went on more
gravely, "to train my darlings to systematic benevolence, a willingness
to deny themselves for the cause of Christ, and to take an interest in
every branch of the work of the church."

CHAPTER III.

Lulu's first thought on awaking the next morning, was of the talk of the
previous evening, with her father. He had said she might have the
pleasure of telling Gracie the good news in regard to the money to be
earned by good conduct, and that which was to be given by him in the
name of each of his older children; also the privilege he would accord
them of selecting the particular cause, or causes, to which the money
should go.

Eager to avail herself of the permission, and see Gracie's delight, she
sprang from her bed, ran to the door of communication between their
sleeping rooms, which generally stood open--always at night--and peeped
cautiously in.

Gracie's head was still on her pillow, but at that instant she stirred,
opened her eyes, and called out in a pleased tone, "O Lu, so you are up
first!" speaking softly though, for fear of disturbing their father and
Violet, in the room beyond, the door there being open also.

Lulu hurried to it and closed it gently, then turning toward her sister,
"Yes," she said, "but it's early, and you needn't get up just yet. I'm
coming to creep in with you for a few minutes while I tell you
something that I'm sure will please you."

She crept into Grace's bed as she spoke, and they lay for a while
clasped in each other's arms, Lulu talking very fast, Grace listening
and now and then putting in a word or two. She was quite as much pleased
with what Lulu had to tell, as the latter had anticipated.

"Oh won't it be just lovely to have so much money to do good with!" she
exclaimed when all had been told. "Haven't we got the very best and
dearest father in the world? I don't believe, Lu, there's another one
half so dear and kind and nice. We ought to be ever such good children!"

"Yes, but I'm no