“Thank you, you dear papa.” she said, giving him a hug and kiss.  “I ought to be a very good girl, for you are always so kind to me.”

She was up betimes the next morning, eagerly scanning the sky, which, to her great delight, gave every indication of fair weather for the day.

She hastened to array herself in suitable attire for her trip to the city,—­having consulted grandma Elsie on the subject the night before,—­and had just finished when she heard her father’s step in the hall.

She ran to open the door.

“Good-morning, little daughter,” he said with a smile, and stooping to give her a caress.  “I have just been to the telephone.  Evelyn will go with us, and I trust you will both enjoy your day.”

“Oh, I know I shall!” she cried:  “it will be just delightful!  Are we all to go in the carriage, papa?”

“All but Max:  he prefers to ride his pony.”

“I should think he would.  I’m so glad you gave it to him, papa!” There was not a trace of envy or jealousy in her look or tone.

“Wouldn’t you like to have one?” he asked.

“Oh, yes, indeed, papa! but,” hanging her head, and blushing deeply, “I don’t deserve it.”

“I intend to give you one as soon as you have learned to have patience under provocation, so that I shall be able to trust you to treat him kindly,” he said.  “How soon do you think that will be?”

“I don’t know, papa.  It will be a good while before I can feel at all sure of myself,” she answered humbly.

“I hope it will,” he said; then, as she looked up in surprise, “The apostle says, ‘When I am weak, then am I strong.’  When we feel our own weakness, and look to God for help, then we are strong with a strength far greater than our own; but when we grow self-confident, and trust in our own strength, we are very apt to find it but weakness.

“And now I must caution you to be on your guard to-day against any exhibition of self-will and ill temper, if your wishes are overruled by those older and wiser than yourself.”

“Why, papa, am I not to be allowed to choose the things for my own rooms?” she asked, in a tone of deep disappointment.

“I intend that your taste shall be consulted, my child,” he said; “but I cannot promise that you shall have, in every case, exactly what you most prefer.  You might select carpets, curtains, and upholstery of material and colors that would wear poorly, or fade very soon.  Therefore we must take grandma Elsie into our counsels, and get her help in deciding what to take; for I am sure you would like neither to have your rooms disfigured with faded, worn-out furnishings, or to put your father to the expense of refurnishing for you very soon.”

“Oh, no, papa!  No, indeed,” she said.

“Besides,” he went on, “don’t you wish to consult my taste too?  Would you not have your rooms pleasing to my eyes when I pay a visit to them, as I shall every day?”