“How nice, papa!” she exclaimed joyfully.  “Oh, I do think we ought to be the happiest children in the world, with such a dear, kind father, and such a lovely home!  But”—­her face clouded, and she sighed deeply.

“But what, my child?”

“I was thinking of that dreadful temper that is always getting the better of me.  But you will help me to conquer it, papa?” she added, half inquiringly, half in assertion.

“I fully intend to do all in my power to that end,” he said in a tender tone; “but, my beloved child, the hardest part of the battle must inevitably be your own.  You must watch and pray against that, your besetting sin, never allowing yourself to be a moment off your guard.”

“I mean to, papa; and you will watch me, and warn me when you see that I am forgetting?”

“I shall be constantly endeavoring to do so,” he answered,—­“trying to guard and guide all my children, looking carefully after their welfare, physical, mental, moral, and spiritual.

“To that end, I have just been examining some of the reading-matter which has been provided for them in my absence; and, so far as I have made myself acquainted with it, I decidedly approve it, as I expected I should; having all confidence in those who chose it for you,—­grandpa Dinsmore and grandma Elsie.

“This little paper, ‘The Youth’s Companion,’ strikes me as very entertaining and instructive, also of excellent moral tone.  Do you like it?”

“Oh, yes, indeed, papa! we are all very fond of it, and find a great deal of useful information in it.  I wouldn’t be without it for a great deal, nor Max wouldn’t either; and Gracie likes the part for the little folks ever so much.”

“Then, we will continue to take it,” he said; “also this magazine, ’St. Nicholas,’ if you like it, as I can hardly doubt that you do.”

“Indeed we do!” she exclaimed:  “we wouldn’t any of us like to do without that, either.  Oh, I am glad you will let us go on with both that and the paper!

“Papa, where is the schoolroom?  You haven’t shown us that yet.”

“No; and here come Max and Gracie,” he said, as the two came hurrying in together.  “I will show it to you now.”

“What, papa?” asked Max.

“Oh! is there something more to see?” exclaimed Grace, running to her father, and putting her hand in his.  “Oh, it’s ever so nice to have such a beautiful home, and so many beautiful new things to look at!”

“It is only your schoolroom this time,” her father said, closing his fingers lovingly over the little hand, and smiling down into the sweet blue eyes upraised so gratefully to his.

“Oh, yes, I want to see that!  I’d ’most forgotten ’bout it,” she said, skipping along by his side as he led the way, Max and Lulu following.