“Is it those words the Bible means when it speaks of the sword of the Spirit, papa?” asked Max.

“Not those alone, but all the word of God.  And in order to be prepared to wield that sword we must store our memories with the word, we must hide it in our hearts.  David says, ’Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.’

“Christ is our pattern; we must strive to follow his example in all things; and it was with the sword of the Spirit he repelled every temptation of the devil there in the wilderness—­beginning each reply to the evil suggestions with ‘It is written.’”

“That is why you have us learn so many Bible verses, papa?”

“Yes; open the Bible lying on the table there, Max, and turn to the sixth chapter of Deuteronomy.”

Max did so, then read, by his father’s direction, the sixth and seventh verses.

“And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

“I think you obey that command, papa,” said Lulu; “indeed I think you try to obey every command in God’s word.”

“I do,” he replied, “and I want my children to follow my example in that.  In the eleventh chapter of the same book the command is repeated and these words are added, ’That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.’

“Speaking of the law, the testimony, the statutes, the commandments of the Lord, the psalmist tells us that, ’in keeping of them there is great reward.’

“True happiness is known by none but those who are at peace with God; but living in the light of his countenance, one may be full of joy even in the midst of great earthly tribulation.

“Ah, my darlings, I can wish nothing better for you than that you may thus live!”

At that moment Violet joined them.

“The babies were unusually wakeful and troublesome to-night,” she remarked, “but have at last fallen asleep and so released mamma from attendance upon them.”

“To our great content,” added her husband, gently putting Lulu off his knee and rising to give his wife a seat, while Max sprang up and gallantly placed a chair for her; selecting the most comfortable and placing it close beside his father’s.

She thanked him with one of her sweetest smiles, the captain remarking, “Max was too quick for me that time.”

“Like his father, he is extremely polite and attentive to ladies,” said Violet.  “How cosy you are here! and you two children have been having a pleasant time, no doubt, with papa all to yourselves.”

“We have missed you, my dear,” said her husband; “at least I may speak for myself.”