“And so delightful to have you for one,” he said, drawing her to the seat Neddie had vacated.  “Papa feels that he must be very careful to see that the strength and endurance of his feeble little girl are not overtaxed.”

“Mamma too,” said Violet.  “Dear child, I hope the rest of to-night, to-morrow, and the following night may entirely relieve your fatigue.”

“Thank you, mamma, I hope and believe that it will,” responded Grace in cheerful tones.  “We will go to church to-morrow, I suppose, papa?” turning enquiringly to him.

“Those of us who feel able and wish to,” he replied.  “I intend moving on up the lake to Chicago when you have all retired to your state-rooms, and to lie at anchor there until the Sabbath is past.  We will have our Bible lesson as usual in the afternoon, and service on board in the evening.”

“I am glad of that, papa,” said Grace, “for I always greatly enjoy a Bible lesson with you for my teacher.”

CHAPTER X.

Most of the Dolphin’s passengers went into the city to attend church the next morning, but Grandma Elsie and Grace, not yet entirely recovered from their fatigue, remained behind with the little ones.  They watched the departure of the others, then Elsie, taking a seat close at her grandma’s side, asked for a Bible story.  “I like so much better to hear you or papa or mamma read or tell it than to have to read it for myself,” she said.

“Yes, dear, and I always enjoy reading or telling those sweet stories to you,” replied Mrs. Travilla, turning over the leaves of her Bible.

“Please read ’bout Jesus walking on the water, grandma,” pleaded Neddie.

“Yes,” she said.  “Here in this chapter Mark tells about Jesus feeding the multitude—­five thousand men—­with five loaves and two fishes; making so much of that small quantity of food that they all ate and were filled, and there were twelve baskets full of fragments left.  Then he constrained his disciples to get into the ship and go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.  Now, do you remember what he did after the disciples and the people were gone?”

“Went up into a mountain to pray,” answered Elsie.  “Grandma, why did he pray when he was God and could do everything?”

“We cannot fully understand it, dear, but he was both God and man and loved to talk with his Father, God.”

“Yes, grandma, I love to talk to my father,” said Ned.

“So do I,” said Elsie; “he is such a dear, kind papa, and we all love him so much.”

“That is right,” grandma said with her sweet smile; “and I hope you sometimes thank God, our heavenly Father, for giving you such a good, kind papa.”

“Yes, grandma, yes indeed!”