“Yes, papa; oh, I am so glad the Bible says that!”

There was a moment’s silence; then Grace said, with a sigh and a voice full of tears, “Oh, I do so wish I could see Maxie before we go so far away from him!  Papa, wouldn’t they let him come home for just a little while?”

“No, daughter; but how would you like to go with Lulu and me to pay him a little visit?”

“O papa! so much if—­if you think I won’t be too tired to go on to Viamede so soon afterward.”

“I really think you could stand the two journeys, coming so near together, now that you are so much stronger than you used to be; and as you can lie and rest in the cars, and we go by water from New Orleans.  Don’t you feel as if you could?”

“Oh, yes, papa, I feel almost sure I could!” she cried joyously.

“Then we will try it,” he said, fondling her; “you will have no packing to do—­I am sure Mamma Vi and Lulu will be pleased to attend to all that for you—­and the journey to Annapolis is not a very long or fatiguing one.  So, should nothing happen to prevent, you shall make one of our little party to visit Max.”

Grace’s eyes shone with pleasure and Lulu exclaimed delightedly, “Oh, I am so glad, Gracie!  It will double my pleasure to have you along; and you needn’t worry one bit about your packing of clothes or playthings, for I’m sure I can see to it all with Christine or Alma to help me; or even if I should have to do it all myself.”

“Oh, thank you, Lu!” exclaimed Grace, “you are just the very best sister that ever I saw!  Isn’t she, papa?”

“I think her a very good and kind sister, and it makes me a proud and happy father to be able to give her that commendation,” he answered, with a loving look down into the eyes of his eldest daughter.

Just then Violet re-entered the room and a merry, happy hour followed, while plans and prospects were under discussion.

“Won’t you excuse Gracie and me from lessons the rest of the time before we start for Viamede, papa?” asked Lulu coaxingly.

“No, daughter,” replied the captain, in a pleasant tone; “there is very little either of you will be called upon to do in regard to the preparations for our southward flitting, so no occasion for you to miss lessons for so many days.  Of course you cannot study on the boats and cars, at least I shall not ask it of you, and when we get to Viamede you will be glad of a little holiday to rest and run about, seeing everything that is to be seen; and all that will cause quite sufficient loss of time from your lessons.”

“Oh, dear,” sighed Lulu, “I think it must be ever so nice to be grown up and not have any lessons to learn.”

“Ah, Lu,” laughed Violet, “I am not so sure that grown up folks have no lessons to learn; in fact I begin to have an idea that their lessons are not seldom more trying and wearisome than those of the children.”

“Yes, Mamma Vi,” responded Lulu, with a blush, “and I’m sorry and ashamed of my grumbling.  Papa, I’m just determined I will be good and do cheerfully whatever you bid me; I have always, always found your way the very best in the end.”