Then I will drop them at Ion, and you and I, after a call of a few minutes to hear how Grandma Elsie is, will drive home together." "Oh, how pleasant that will be, papa! How good you always are to every one of us children!" she exclaimed, giving him an ardent kiss, then running away to do his bidding.
A merry, happy time the children had, and on reaching Ion the little ones were ready for their supper and bed.

The older ones were full of joy on learning that their loved Grandma Elsie was as comfortable and doing as well as possible under the circumstances.

The captain and Lulu spent a quiet half-hour with the Ion family and Violet, then departed for Woodburn.
As the carriage started, the captain put an arm round Lulu, drew her close to him, and smiling affectionately down into her face, said: "How glad I am to be able to keep one of my loved flock with me!" "And oh, how glad I am that I'm the one, you dear, dear papa!" responded the little girl, returning his loving look and smile.

Then, with a sigh, "I think there are some fathers who wouldn't be very fond of even their own child, if she were so often ill-tempered and disobedient.

Papa, I've been thinking all day that you didn't punish me half so severely as I deserved for my naughtiness yesterday." "I would rather err on that side than the other, daughter," he said, in tender tones, "and I hope your future behavior will be such as to prove that the slight punishment inflicted was all-sufficient." "I hope so, indeed, papa," she answered earnestly, "but if I am disobedient and ill-tempered again soon, you will be more severe with me, won't you?
I really want you to, that I may improve." "Yes, daughter, I think I must," he replied a little sadly; then after a moment's silence went on again: "I expect to pay a little visit to Max in January, and if my eldest daughter has been a good and obedient child----" He paused, looking smilingly at her.
"You will take me with you, papa ?" she cried half-breathlessly.