“I want you to feel that in your inmost soul, and to beware of self-confidence, which was, I think, the cause of your sad failure of a few weeks ago.”

“Yes, papa,” she said humbly, “I believe I had begun to feel that I was quite reformed, so did not watch and pray as constantly as I used to, and then almost before I knew it I was in a passion with poor Alma.”

“‘When I am weak, then am I strong!’ the apostle says,” returned her father; “that is when we feel our weakness and trust in the strength of our Almighty Saviour; of him who has said, ‘In me is thine help.’  It is help, daughter, which is never refused to those who look humbly to Jesus for it.”

“I am so glad the Bible tells us that,” she said.

They walked on in silence for a little, then Lulu said, “Papa, I asked Cousin Molly last night if Professor Manton still had his school at Oakdale.  She said, ‘Yes, is your papa going to send you there?’ and I was so glad I could answer, ’No, ma’am; he is going to teach me himself.’  Then Cousin Molly said, ’Oh, is he?  I am sure that will be far pleasanter for you, dear.  The professor is not very popular, and I hear that his school grows smaller.’”

“Ah, then, don’t you think it would be only kind in me to put my eldest daughter there as a pupil?” asked the captain jestingly.

“Not to me, papa, I am sure,” she answered, lifting to his smiling eyes that said as plainly as any words could have spoken that she had no fear that he would do any such thing.

“No; and I do not know what could induce me to do so,” he returned.  “So you need never ask it, but must try to content yourself with the tutor who has had charge of your education ever since Woodburn became our home.”

“I don’t need to try, papa,” she said with a happy laugh; “for it’s just as easy as anything.  Gracie and I both think there was never such a dear, kind teacher as ours.  Neither of us wants ever to have any other.”

“Ah! then we are mutually pleased.  And now I think we should turn and go back to the house, for it must be near the breakfast hour.”  They found Violet, Grace, and the little ones on the veranda, awaiting their coming, and breakfast ready to be served.

Morning greetings were exchanged and all repaired to the breakfast room.

The meal proved a dainty one, was daintily served and enlivened by cheerful chat on such themes as were not unsuited to the sacredness of the day.

Family worship followed, and soon after the family carriage was at the door ready to convey them to the church of which their Cousin Cyril was pastor.

The captain, Violet, and the two little girls, Lulu and Grace, formed the deputation from that family, the two babies remaining at home in the care of their nurse, whom they had brought with them from Woodburn.

Cyril gave them an excellent sermon, and at the close of the exercises conducted a Bible class attended by nearly every one belonging to the congregation.