he missive and put it back into the envelope.

Lulu was one who never liked to retreat from a position she had once
taken. "Oh, it's easy to talk," she said, "acting's another thing. I'm not
going to be caught with chaff."

"See here!" said Max, showing a photograph.

"Oh, what a pretty lady!" cried Gracie, holding out an eager hand for it.

Max gave it to her, and Lulu sprang up and bent over her to get a good
view of it also.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"Isn't she pretty? isn't she perfectly beautiful, and sweet-looking as she
can be?" said Max, ignoring the question.

"Yes, she's just lovely; but why don't you say who she is, if you know?"

"She's papa's new wife, the new mamma you are determined to believe is
going to be so hateful."

"I'm sure she won't. She does look so sweet, I just love her already!"
Gracie said.

Lulu, too proud to retract, yet strongly drawn toward the possessor of so
sweet and lovely a countenance as was pictured there, kept silence, gazing
intently upon the photograph which Gracie still held.

"Whose is it, Max?" asked the latter.

"Mine I suppose, though papa doesn't say; but we'll find out when he
comes."

"Oh, I'm so glad, so glad he's coming soon! Aren't you, Maxie?"

"I never was gladder in my life!" cried Max. "And just think how nice to
go and live by the sea all summer! There'll be lots of fun boating and
bathing and fishing!"

"Oh, yes!" chimed in Lulu, "and papa is always so kind about taking us to
places and giving us a good time."

"But I can't have any!" sighed Gracie from her couch.

"Yes, papa will manage it somehow," said Max; "and the sea air and plenty
to eat will soon make you ever so much stronger."

They chatted on for some time, growing more and more delighted with the
prospect before them; then Max said he must go.

He wanted to take the photograph with him, but generously yielded to
Gracie's entreaties that it might be left with her till he came again.

She and Lulu were still gazing upon it and talking together of the
original--Max having gone--when Mrs. Scrimp came in, looking greatly vexed
and perturbed.

She too had received a letter from Capt. Raymond that day, telling of his
marriage and his intentions in regard to his children; directing also that
they and their luggage should be in waiting at a hotel near the depot of
the town at the hour of a certain day of the coming week when he and his
bride expected to arrive by a train from the We