"I have something to tell you both which will show you why, and also prove pleasant news to you, I think." Then he proceeded to tell them of the plans laid that afternoon at Ion, and which made it necessary that, if he went to see Max at all that winter, he must do so before the end of the week already begun.
His news that their winter was to be spent at Viamede was hailed with delight by both the little girls.
"I am so glad!" cried Grace, clapping her hands and smiling all over her face.
"I, too," exclaimed Lulu.

"Viamede is so, _so_ beautiful, and to have you there with us, you dear papa, will make us--me any way--enjoy it at least twice as much as I did before." "Me too," said Grace; "the happiest place for me is always where my own dear father is with me," hugging him tight and kissing him again and again.
"My darling! my precious darlings!" the captain said in response and caressing them in turn.
"I'm so sorry for poor Maxie," remarked Grace presently, "that he can't see you every day, papa, as we do, and be kissed and hugged as we are; and that he can't go to Viamede with the rest of us." She finished with a heavy sigh.
"Yes," her father said, "I am sorry for him, and for ourselves, that he is not to be with us.

But my dear boy is happy where he is, and I in the thought that he is preparing himself to do good service to our country; to be a valuable and useful citizen." "And we are all ever so proud of him--our dear Maxie; but I'm glad I am not a boy.

Women can be very useful in the world too, can't they, papa ?" "Yes; yes, indeed, my darlings; the world couldn't go on without women, any more than without men; both are necessary, and the one sex to be as much honored as the other, and I hope and trust my daughters will all grow up to be noble, true-hearted, useful women, always trying to do earnestly and faithfully the work God has given them to do." "I hope so, indeed, papa!" responded Lulu in an earnest, thoughtful tone; "if I know my own heart I do want to be a very useful woman when I'm grown up--a useful girl now--serving God with all my might; but oh, I do so easily forget and go wrong!" "Yet I can see very plainly that my dear little girl is improving," her father said, softly smoothing her hair with his hand, "and I'm sure--for the Bible tells us so--that if you fight on, looking to God for help, you will come off conqueror and more than conqueror in the end." "Yes, papa; oh, I am so glad the Bible says that!" There was a moment's silence; then Grace said, with a sigh and a voice full of tears, "Oh, I do so wish I could see Maxie before we go so far away from him! Papa, wouldn't they let him come home for just a little while ?" "No, daughter; but how would you like to go with Lulu and me to pay him a little visit ?" "O papa! so much if--if you think I won't be too tired to go on to Viamede so soon afterward." "I really think you could stand the two journeys, coming so near together, now that you are so much stronger than you used to be; and as you can lie and rest in the cars, and we go by water from New Orleans.
Don't you feel as if you could ?" "Oh, yes, papa, I feel almost sure I could!" she cried joyously.
"Then we will try it," he said, fondling her; "you will have no packing to do--I am sure Mamma Vi and Lulu will be pleased to attend to all that for you--and the journey to Annapolis is not a very long or fatiguing one.

So, should nothing happen to prevent, you shall make one of our little party to visit Max." Grace's eyes shone with pleasure and Lulu exclaimed delightedly, "Oh, I am so glad, Gracie! It will double my pleasure to have you along; and you needn't worry one bit about your packing of clothes or playthings, for I'm sure I can see to it all with Christine or Alma to help me; or even if I should have to do it all myself." "Oh, thank you, Lu!" exclaimed Grace, "you are just the very best sister that ever I saw! Isn't she, papa ?" "I think her a very good and kind sister, and it makes me a proud and happy father to be able to give her that commendation," he answered, with a loving look down into the eyes of his eldest daughter.
Just then Violet re-entered the room and a merry, happy hour followed, while plans and prospects were under discussion.
"Won't you excuse Gracie and me from lessons the rest of the time before we start for Viamede, papa ?" asked Lulu coaxingly.
"No, daughter," replied the captain, in a pleasant tone; "there is very little either of you will be called upon to do in regard to the preparations for our southward flitting, so no occasion for you to miss lessons for so many days.