Now that I am to be with you constantly, I shall take a deeper interest than ever in all that concerns you,--if that be possible,--in your studies, your sports, your thoughts and feelings.
You may always be sure of my sympathy, and such help as I can give in every right and wise undertaking." "I'll do that, papa!" Max exclaimed with a sudden, glad, lighting-up of the face.

"Why, it'll be as good as having the brother I've often wished for!" he added with a pleased laugh; "better, in some ways, anyhow; for you'll be so much wiser than any boy, and keep me out of scrapes with your good advice." "Papa," queried Grace, with a little bashful hesitation, "mayn't I have you for my friend too ?" "Yes, indeed, my darling little girl!" he answered with a hug and kiss.
"I should like to be quite as intimate with you as I hope to be with Max." "With Lulu too ?" she asked.
"Yes; with every one of my children." Max had averted his face to hide his amusement at his little sister's question in regard to her father's friendship for herself, for the timid, sensitive little girl could hardly bear to be laughed at; but now he turned to his father again with the query,-- "Papa, where are we going to live ?" "I don't know yet, Max," the captain answered; "but I hope to be able to buy or build somewhere in this neighborhood, as I should be loath to take your mamma far away from her mother,--myself either, for that matter; and I presume you would all prefer to live near these kind friends ?" "I am sure I should," said Max.

"But, papa,"-- he paused, coloring, and casting down his eyes.
"Well, my boy, what is it?
don't be afraid to talk freely to your intimate friend," his father said in a kindly tone, and laying a hand affectionately on the lad's shoulder.
"Please don't think me impertinent, papa," Max said, coloring still more, "but I was just going to ask how you could live without your pay; as I have heard you say it was nearly all you had." "I am not at all offended at the inquiry," was the kindly reply.

"The intimacy and confidences are not to be all on one side, my boy.
"I am quite willing you should know that am able now to do without the pay, some land belonging to me in the Far West having so risen in value as to afford me sufficient means for the proper support of my family, and education of my children." "Oh, that is good!" cried Max, clapping his hands in delight.

"And if it is used up by the time I'm grown and educated, I hope I'll be able to take care of you, and provide for you as you do now for me." "Thank you, my dear boy," the captain said with feeling; "the day may come when you will be the stay and staff of my old age; but, however that may be, you may be sure that nothing can add more to your father's happiness than seeing you growing up to honorable and Christian manhood." "Yes, sir: it's what I want to do." Then, a little anxiously, after a moment's thought, "Am I to be sent away to school, sir ?" "I have not quite decided that question, and your wishes will have great weight with me in making the decision.