“To-morrow is Saturday,” she said reflectively.  “Suppose we say Monday?  I hope baby will be so much better by that time, that I shall feel easy in leaving her for a long day’s shopping.”

“Very well,” he said:  “we will go Monday morning if nothing happens to prevent.”

“Lulu looks as if she did not know how to wait so long,” Violet said, smiling kindly on the little girl.  “Can’t you take her and Max and Gracie to-morrow, and again on Monday?  Surely, they can select some things for their own rooms, with you to help them.”

“No.  I want your taste as well as my own and theirs, and Lulu must learn to wait:  it is a lesson she needs,” he added, looking down at her with grave kindliness, and pressing affectionately the hand she had slipped into his.

She flushed, and cast down her eyes.

“Yes, papa,” she murmured, “I will try to be good and patient.  I’m sure I ought to be when you are so very good to me.”

“Now, captain, if my taste and judgment were considered equal to Vi’s, and Lulu might be spared that lesson,” remarked Zoe laughingly, “I’d offer to go in her place,—­Vi’s, I mean.  I think it would be great fun to help choose pictures, carpets, and furniture.”

“Thank you, Zoe; that is a kind offer,” said Violet:  “and if mamma thinks it an enjoyable errand, and will consent to supplement your taste and judgment with hers, they will be a good deal more than equal to mine,” she concluded, with a smiling glance at her mother.

“I am quite of Zoe’s opinion as to the pleasantness of the object of the expedition, Vi,” Elsie said, “and quite at the service of the captain and yourself, to go, or to take your place in watching over baby while you go; and I think you will find it necessary to spend more than one or two days in the work of selecting what you will want for the furnishing of your home.”

“I dare say you are right about that, mother,” said the captain; “and as it seems to be the desire of all parties that the work should be begun to-morrow, I think I will take the children and as many of you ladies as may like to accompany us.”

“Papa, mayn’t we drive to the city in the new carriage?” pleaded Lulu.  “I’d like it ever so much better than going in the cars; and then we can drive from one store to another, without having to take the street-cars or a hack.”

“It shall be as the ladies who decide to go with us may wish,” he said.

“I think Lulu’s plan a very good one,” said grandma Elsie, kindly desirous to see the child gratified.

“And I would greatly prefer it, if I should be one of the party,” added Zoe.

“As I trust you will,” returned the captain gallantly.  “Gracie, daughter, it is time little ones like you were in their nests.  Bid good-night, and go.”

The child obeyed instantly and cheerfully.

“And I must go back to my baby,” Violet remarked, as she rose and left the room along with the little girl.