his little daughters. He found them up and dressed, standing at the
window of their sitting-room gazing out into the grounds.

"Good morning, my darlings," he said.

"Oh good morning, papa," they cried, turning and running into his
outstretched arms to give and receive tenderest caresses.

"What were you looking at?" he asked presently.

"Oh! oh! the loveliest sight!" cried Lulu. "Do, papa, come and look,"
taking his hand and drawing him toward the window. "There, isn't it?"

"Yes; I have seldom seen a finer," he assented.

"And the sun is shining so brightly; can't I take a walk with you
to-day?" she asked, looking coaxingly up into his face.

"Why, my child, the walks and roads are sheeted with ice; you could not
stand, much less walk on them."

"I think I could, papa, if--if you'd only let me try. But oh don't look
troubled, for indeed, indeed, I'm not going to be naughty about it,
though I have been shut up in the house for so long, except just riding
in the close carriage to church yesterday."

"Yes; and I know it has been hard for you," he said, smoothing her hair
with caressing hand.

Then sitting down he drew her to one knee, Gracie to the other.

"How would my little girls like to be excused from lessons to-day and
given, instead, a sleigh-ride with papa, mamma, Max and little Elsie?"

"Oh ever so much, papa!" they cried, clapping their hands in delight.
"How good in you to think of it!"

"'Specially for me, considering how very, very naughty I was only last
week," added Lulu, in a remorseful tone. "Papa, I really think I
oughtn't to be let go."

"And I really think I should not be deprived of the pleasure of having
my dear eldest daughter with me on this first sleigh-ride of the
season," returned her father, drawing her into a closer embrace.

"And it would spoil all the fun for me to have you left at home, Lu,"
said Grace.

"And that must not be; we will all go, and I trust will have a very
pleasant time," the captain said, rising and taking a hand of each to
lead them down to the breakfast-room, for the bell was ringing.

At Ion the family were gathering about the table to partake of their
morning meal. Walter waited rather impatiently till the blessing had
been asked, then, with an entreating look at his mother, said, "Mamma,
you know what you promised?"

"Yes, my son; but be patient a little longer. I see your grandpa has
something to say."

"Something that Walter will be glad to he