Still they asked no question on the subject, but they sobered down and were very quiet during the short drive.
"Tired, children ?" queried their father, putting an arm round Grace as she leaned confidingly up against him, and smiling affectionately upon them all.
"Oh, no, sir, not at all!" replied Max, quickly, straightening himself with the air of one who had no thought of fatigue.
"Not at all, papa," echoed Lulu.
"Only just a little bit, papa," Grace said with cheerful look and tone.
"We have had such a nice day." "Giving pleasure to others," he remarked, patting the rosy cheek resting against his shoulder; "there is nothing more enjoyable.

The little girls were very glad to get your dollies." "Yes, sir; I'm so glad I gave them." The carriage stopped.

They were at their own door.

In another minute they had all alighted and the children were following their father and Violet into the house.
A Newfoundland dog, a magnificent specimen of his race, met them almost at the threshold.
"Oh!" cried the children, in excited chorus, "where, did he come from?
Whose dog is he ?" "Max's; a Christmas gift from papa," answered the captain.
"Oh!" exclaimed Max, his face sparkling all over with delight, "what a splendid fellow! Papa, thank you ever so much! You couldn't have given me a more acceptable present." "Ah?
I'm glad you like him.

But come into the library, all of you, for a moment.