"I will help you at the start.
You can each give a very good report of to-day's conduct, I am sure.
"The keeping of a diary will be very improving to you in a literary way, teaching you to express your thoughts readily in writing, and that, I presume, is one thing your father has in view." "But it will be just like writing compositions; and that I always did _hate_!" cried Lulu vehemently.
"No, not exactly," said Max; "because you don't have to make up anything, only to tell real happenings and doings that you haven't had time to forget." "And I think you will soon find it making the writing of compositions easier," remarked Violet, with an encouraging smile.
"It'll be just the same as having to write a composition every day," grumbled Lulu.

"I wish papa wouldn't be so hard on us.

I have to study lessons a whole hour every evening, and then it'll take ever so long to write that, and I shall not have a bit of time to play." "I wish I could write," little Gracie said, with a half sigh.

"If I could, I'd like to talk that way to papa." "You shall learn, darling," Violet said, caressing her with gentle fondness.

"Would you like to begin now ?" "Oh, yes, mamma!" cried the child eagerly.
"Then bring me your slate, and I will set you a copy.