“You must have been glad when you were old enough to read them, mamma,” remarked Zoe, joining the circle.

“You read far too many, my little woman,” said Mr. Dinsmore, pinching her rosy cheek.  “If I were Edward, I should curtail the supply, and try to cultivate a taste for something better.”

“But I’m a married woman and sha’n’t submit to being treated like a child, grandpa,” she said, with a little pout and a toss of her pretty head.

“Not even by me?” asked Edward, leaning down over her as he stood behind her chair.

“No, not even by you,” she returned saucily, looking up into his face with laughing eyes.  “I’m your wife, sir, not your child.”

“Both, I should say,” laughed Edward.  “I remember that I was considered a mere child at your age.  And whatever you are you belong to me, don’t you?”

“Yes; and you to me just as much,” she retorted, and at that there was a general laugh.

The captain had said nothing of the objectionable reading matter found in his children’s hands that day, but when alone with Violet in their own room, he told her all about it, blaming himself severely for not having been so watchful over them as he ought, and expressing his distress over the discovery that Max had sometimes been guilty of profanity.

“I do not know whether it has become a habit with him,” he said, “but, my dear, I beg of you to watch him closely when I am away, and if he is ever known to offend in that way, see that he is properly punished.”

“But how, Levis?” she asked, with a troubled look.  “I don’t know what I can do but talk seriously to him about the wickedness of it.”

“I hope you will do that, my dear.  I have no doubt it would have an excellent effect, for he loves and admires you greatly.  But let him be punished by being separated, for at least a week, from the rest of the family, as unworthy to associate with them.”

“Oh, that would be very hard, very humiliating for a proud, sensitive, affectionate boy like Max!” she exclaimed.  “May we not be a little more lenient toward him?” and she looked up pleadingly into her husband’s face.

“No,” he said with decision; “but I strongly hope there will be no occasion for such punishment, as he seems sincerely penitent and quite determined not to offend in that way again.  I really think my boy wants to do right, but he is a heedless, thoughtless fellow, often going wrong from mere carelessness and forgetfulness.  But he must be taught to think and to remember.”

“I wish he could have his father’s constant care and control,” sighed Violet.

“I wish he could indeed!” responded the captain; “but principally because I fear he will prove a care and trouble to your grandfather and mother, who, I am inclined to think, are more capable than I of giving him proper training.  I shall go away feeling easier in regard to my children’s welfare than I ever have before since they lost their mother.”