“I wish I was going, too!” sighed Lulu, as she and Rosie stood looking after the barouche.

“Mamma would have let us drive over to the station with them,” said Rose; “Edward asked if we might, but Ben had some errands to do in town, and couldn’t bring us back in time for lessons.”

“Lessons!  I’m sick and tired of them!” grumbled Lulu.  “Other children had holidays last week, but we had to go right on studying.”

“But we are to take ours in a week or two, visiting at the Oaks and the Laurels, perhaps two weeks at each place, and I’m sure that will be nicer than to have had Easter holidays at home.”

“There, it’s out of sight,” said Lulu.  “I’d like to be Aunt Zoe, just starting off on a journey.  Let’s take a run down the avenue, Rosie.”

“I would, but I must look over my Latin lesson, or I may not be ready for grandpa.”

With the last words she turned and went into the house.

Lulu knew that she was not ready for Mr. Dinsmore either, but she was in no mood for study, and the grounds looked so inviting that she yielded to the temptation to take a ramble instead.

Max, from his window, saw her wandering about among the shrubs and flowers and longed to join her.  He was bearing his punishment in a very good spirit, making no complaint, spending his time in study, reading, writing and carving.

Mr. Dinsmore came to him to hear his recitations, and was always able to commend them as excellent.  He treated the boy in a kind, fatherly manner, talking to him of his sin and the way to obtain forgiveness and deliverance from it, very much as Elsie and Violet had.

Yet he did not harp continually upon that, but dwelt often upon other themes, trying so to treat the lad that his self-respect might be restored.

Max appreciated the kindness shown him, and was strengthened in his good resolutions.  He was privately very much troubled about his losses, particularly that of the watch, supposing it to be in Ralph’s possession, for Mr. Dinsmore had said nothing to him on the subject.

Being very fond of his sisters, Max felt the separation from them no small part of his punishment; he followed Lulu’s movements this morning with wistful eyes.

She looked up, and seeing his rather pale, sad face at the window, drew nearer and called softly to him, “Max, how are you?  I’m so sorry for you.”

He only shook his head and turned away.

Then Mr. Dinsmore’s voice spoke sternly from a lower window, “Lulu, you are disobeying orders.  Go into the house and to the school-room immediately.  You ought to have been there fully a quarter of an hour ago.”

Lulu was a little frightened, and obeyed at once.

“You are late, Lulu.  You must try to be more punctual in future,” Elsie said in a tone of mild rebuke, as the little girl sat down at her desk.

“I don’t care if I am,” she muttered, insolently.