“Thank you; then, if you like, she shall be mamma’s namesake; her first granddaughter should be, I think, as the first grandson was papa’s.”

“I highly approve your choice,” he said, with a glance of affectionate admiration directed toward his mother-in-law; “and may a strong resemblance in both looks and character descend to her with the name.”

“We will all say amen to that, captain,” said Edward.

“Yes, indeed,” added Zoe, heartily.

“Thank you both,” Elsie said, with a gratified look; “I appreciate the compliment; but if I had the naming of my little granddaughter, she should be another Violet; there is already an Elsie in the family besides myself, you know, and it makes a little confusion to have too many of the same name.”

“Then, mamma, we can make a variety by calling this one Else for short,” returned Violet, gayly, holding up the babe to receive a caress from its grandmother, who had drawn near, evidently with the purpose of bestowing it.

“What a pretty pet it is!” Elsie said, taking it in her arms and gazing delightedly into the tiny face.  “Don’t you think so, captain?”

“Of course I do, mother,” he said, with a happy laugh.  Then, examining its features critically:  “I really fancy I see a slight resemblance to you now, which I trust is destined to increase with increasing years.  But excuse me, ladies; I must go and write that all-important letter at once, or it will be too late for the mail.”

He hurried away to the library, and entering it hastily, but without much noise, for he wore slippers, found Lulu there, leaning moodily out of a window.

She had stolen away from the veranda a moment before, saying to herself, in jealous displeasure, “Such a fuss over that little bit of a thing!  I do believe papa is going to care more for it than for any of us, his own children, that he had long before he ever saw Mamma Vi; and it’s just too bad.”

Knowing Lulu as he did, her father instantly conjectured what was passing in her mind.  It grieved and angered him, yet strong affection was mingled with his displeasure, and he silently asked help of God to deal wisely with this child of his love.

He remembered that Lulu was more easily ruled through her affections than in any other way, and as she turned toward him, with a flushed and shamefaced countenance, he went to her, took her in his arms, held her close to his heart, and kissed her tenderly several times.

“My dear, dear little daughter,” he said.  “How often, when far away on the sea, I have longed to do this—­to hold my dear Lulu in my arms and feel hers about my neck and her sweet kisses on my lips.”

Her arms were instantly thrown round his neck, while she returned his kisses with interest.

“Papa,” she said, “I do love you so, so dearly; but I ’most wonder you don’t quit loving such a hateful girl as I am.”