It was a joyful surprise to Lulu when, at the breakfast-table the next morning, her father said, “Children, your mamma and I are going to drive into the city, and will take you all along:  and, as I suppose you would like to do some Christmas shopping, I shall advance your next week’s allowance,—­perhaps furnish something over,” he added, with a kindly smile.

All three young faces had grown very bright, and there was a chorus of thanks.

“We expect to start in a few minutes after prayers,” the captain went on, “and so there will be no school to-day.”

“We like school, papa,” said Grace.  “I never liked it half so well before.”

“Nor I.”  “Nor I,” cried the other two.

“But you are glad of a holiday once in a while, nevertheless?” their father said, with a pleased look.

“Oh, yes, indeed, papa! ’specially when it is to go somewhere with you,” replied Grace; and again the others gave a hearty assent.

When family worship was over, the captain handed a little roll of bank-notes to each, saying, “Now run away, and get yourselves ready for your ride.  Put on your warmest clothing, for the wind is sharp.”

They flurried out into the hall; then Lulu hesitated, turned about, and ran back.

“Papa,” she said, rushing up to him, where he sat beside a table, with some papers before him, and throwing her arm round his neck, “dear papa! you are just too good and kind to me!  Oh, I don’t mean to be disobedient, wilful, or passionate ever again!”

“I am rejoiced to hear you say that, my dear little daughter,” he replied, putting his arm round her, hugging her close, and kissing her tenderly; “and I do not think I shall ever regret any thing I have done for you or either of the others.  It is, to me, the greatest pleasure in life to do whatever I can to make my children happy.”

“I am so, so sorry I was naughty and disobedient last night,” she murmured, laying her cheek to his.

“Dear child,” he said, “it is fully and freely forgiven.  Now run up to your room and dress.”

Grace called to Lulu as she came up the stairs, “O Lu! come in here a minute, into my room.  Look, look, on the bed! see how many papa has given me,—­ten nice new one dollars.”

Lulu counted them as they lay spread out in a row.

“Yes, ten,” she said.  “O Gracie! isn’t it nice? isn’t papa kind?”

“’Course he is; kindest man ever was made,” said Grace.  “Now see how many you have.”

Lulu hastily spread out her roll, and counted the bills.  “Nine ones, and one two,” she announced.

“Just as many as mine,” said Grace; “and I’ve got this besides,” holding up a bright new silver half-dollar.  “So mine’s the most this time, isn’t it?”

“No, because one of my bills counts two:  that makes mine fifty cents the most.  Papa has given us each ten dollars besides our regular allowance.”