“I too,” said Evelyn; “and as if all the teachers were.”

“Very good resolutions,” said Rosie; “so I adopt them for myself.”

“Well,” sighed Lulu, “resolutions don’t seem to amount to much with me, but I haven’t the least intention of misbehaving or wasting my time and opportunities.”

She said it earnestly, really meaning every word of it.

The children would probably not have expressed themselves quite so freely in the presence of their elders; but they were alone in the carriage, Mr. Dinsmore and his daughter having prepared to take the trip on horseback.

Rosie, however, reported to her mother that part of the conversation relating to their intended good conduct, and so greatly rejoiced her heart, for she had been somewhat anxious in regard to the impression made upon the children—­especially Lulu, who was a keen observer of character—­by the professor, and its effect upon their behavior toward him.  She had feared that Lulu, who never did anything by halves, would conceive a great contempt and dislike for the man, in which case there would be small hope of her conducting herself at all as she should while attending the school.

Mr. Dinsmore and Violet had shared her fears, and they had consulted together as to the measures it might be wise to take in hope of averting the unpleasant and trying occurrences which they dreaded.

“Do you think I should talk with her about it?” asked Violet.  “Oh, if I only knew what it would be best to say!”

“Perhaps the less the better,” her grandfather said, with a smile; “I should advise you not to prepare a set sermon, but to say nothing unless upon the spur of the moment, when something she does or says may lead naturally to it.”

“No, do not let us disgust her with long lectures,” said Elsie; “she is a child that will not endure a great deal in the way of reproof or admonition.”

“But perhaps, papa, a few words from you, who are certainly much wiser than either Vi or myself, might have a good effect.”

“No,” he said, “because she respects you quite as much as she does me, and loves you far better.  You are the one whose words will be most likely to benefit her.”

“Then I will undertake it, asking for wisdom from above that I may do her good and not harm,” Elsie replied in a low, earnest tone.

The task thus devolving upon her, she seized a favorable moment, when alone with Lulu, to remind her that she now had an opportunity to establish a character for diligence and good behavior, as she was taking a new start among strangers; while home friends were quite ready to believe that she had turned over a new leaf and would henceforth strive to be and to do just what would please her heavenly Father and the dear earthly one who loved her so fondly.

The words were accompanied by a tender caress; and Lulu, looking up brightly, lovingly into the kind face bending over her, impulsively threw her arms round Elsie’s neck, saying, “Yes, indeed, dear Grandma Elsie, I do mean to try with all my might to be a good girl, and to learn all I possibly can.