“I am very glad of that, Levis,” Violet said, her eyes shining with pleasure, “and I do believe they will have a happy life at Ion.”

“It will certainly be their own fault if they do not,” he replied.

* * * * *

Rose Travilla was somewhat less amiable in disposition than her mother and older sisters, and had been much disgusted with Lulu’s exhibition of temper that evening.

Talking with her mother afterward in her dressing-room, “Mamma,” she said, “I wish you hadn’t offered to let Lulu Raymond live with us at Ion.  I don’t at all like the way she behaves, and I wish you and grandpa would tell her father to send her off to boarding-school.”

“That is an unkind wish, Rose,” said her mother.  “Perhaps if you had had the same treatment Lulu has been subjected to since her mother’s death, you might have shown as bad a temper as hers.  Haven’t you some pity for the little girl, when you reflect that she is motherless?”

“I don’t think she could have a sweeter mother than our Vi,” was the unexpected rejoinder.  “But she doesn’t appreciate her in the least,” Rose went on, “but seems always on the watch against any effort on Vi’s part to control her.”

“She seems to be naturally impatient of control by whomsoever exerted,” Mrs. Travilla said, “but we will hope to see her improve in that respect, and you must set her a good example, Rose.

“And I want you to think how sad it would be for her to be parted from the brother and sister she loves so dearly and sent away alone to boarding-school.  I shall never forget how alarmed and distressed I was when your grandpa threatened me with one.”

“Did he, mamma?” asked Rosie, opening her eyes very wide with surprise.

“Yes, he was very much displeased with me at the time,” her mother said with a sigh.  “But we will not talk about it; the recollection is very painful to me.”

“No, mamma; but I cannot get over my astonishment, for I thought you were never naughty, even when you were a little child.”

“Quite a mistake, Rosie; I had my naughty times as well as other children,” Mrs. Travilla said, smiling at Rosie’s bewildered look.  “But now I want you to promise me, my child, that you will be kind and forbearing toward poor little motherless Lulu.”

“Well, mamma, to please you I will; but I hope she won’t try me too much by impertinence to you or Violet.  I don’t think I can stand it if she does.

“Try to win her love, Rosie, and then you may be able to influence her strongly for good.”

“I don’t know how to begin, mamma.”

“Force your thoughts to dwell on the good points in her character, and think compassionately of the respects in which she is less fortunate than yourself, and you will soon find a feeling of love toward her springing up in your heart; and love begets love.  Do her some kindness, daughter, and that will help you to love her and to gain her love.”