“Yes, and I pity ’Liza for being his wife, and the children because they have such a bad father.

“Lu, let’s ask papa if we mayn’t buy some calico and other things, with some of our benevolence money, and make clothes for them.”

“I wouldn’t mind giving the money,” said Lulu, “but I hate to sew on such things.  You know I never did like plain sewing.  I’ll see about it though.”

“You’d do it to please the dear Lord Jesus, even though you don’t like it?” said Grace softly.

“Yes, that I will, if papa approves,” returned Lulu warmly, her eyes shining.  “Gracie, it’s good—­a real pleasure, I mean—­to make yourself do distasteful things, for Jesus’ sake.

“I’ll put my hat and coat in their proper places and smooth my hair, so I’ll be neat for dinner, and we’ll go and talk to papa about it at once.  He’s sure to approve, and I don’t want to give myself any chance to change my mind and give the thing up.”

“And we won’t mind Grandma Elsie hearing,” added Grace; “perhaps she’ll know what they need the most, and maybe she’ll tell Rosie and Eva and they’ll offer to do something for the poor things too.”

“Oh yes:  perhaps we can form ourselves into a Dorcas society.  That’s what they call societies that make garments for the poor you know, because of Dorcas in the Bible who made coats and garments for the poor where she lived.”

“Yes, Lu; but there’s the dinner bell, and we’ll have to wait awhile before we can talk to papa about it; for you know he says we mustn’t talk a great deal at the table when there’s company.”

“And I have to smooth my hair yet, and that will make me late.  I’m so sorry, because it vexes papa to have us unpunctual.  Don’t wait for me, Gracie, for that will make you late too.”

“I’d rather wait for you, but I ’spose I ought to go at once,” Gracie said, looking regretfully back as she left the room.

The blessing had been asked and the captain was carving the turkey when Lulu took her seat at the table, which was close at his right hand.

He gave her a grave look.

“I’m very sorry I’m late, papa,” she said in a low tone, and casting down her eyes.  “I’d been so busy talking with Gracie that I hadn’t my hair smoothed when the bell rang.”

“It has been a very exciting morning for you, daughter, and I’ll excuse you this time,” he returned, speaking kindly and in as low a key as her own; “it is not often I find you unpunctual.”

Lulu heaved a sigh of relief, her countenance brightened, and her eyes were lifted to her father’s face with a grateful, loving look that brought a smile to his lips and eyes.

She was very quiet during the meal, speaking only when spoken to, but her father kept an eye on her plate and saw that her wants were abundantly supplied.

On leaving the table all repaired to the parlor and Lulu and Grace, seizing the first opportunity offered them by a pause in the talk of their elders, told of their plan, and asked permission to carry it out.