“Working for the good cause in the meantime, in whatever place we are,” added Harold.

“Shall we proceed to organize?” asked Zoe.

“Yes, if Grandma Elsie will help us as she did with the Dorcas,” said Lulu.

The others joined in the request, and Grandma Elsie kindly complied.

Eva was chosen president, Rosie treasurer, and they would have made Lulu secretary but that she strenuously declined, insisting that she was not ready enough with her pen to find time for that in addition to all the sewing and other things she was undertaking.

“Then I nominate Max,” said Rosie, giving him a bright look and smile.

“And I second the motion,” said Evelyn.

Max made no objection and seemed gratified when he was pronounced unanimously elected.

They then settled the amount of their yearly subscription to each cause and the time of meeting, deciding that it should be on the same day and hour as the meeting of the other society, but on the alternate week.

“And what will we do at our meetings?” asked Sydney.

“What other people do at missionary meetings, I presume,” answered Zoe; “read the Bible, sing hymns, pray for the missionaries and the heathen at home and abroad.”

“Pay in our dues too,” said Max; “and I suppose each one will try to find some interesting article to take to the meeting to be read aloud to the others.”

“Yes; of course we must all do that if we want to have very enjoyable meetings,” said Zoe.

“And we older people must see to it that you are well supplied with literature bearing on the subject,” said the captain.

He was rejoiced to perceive that the interest of these new enterprises was taking his children’s thoughts from the unpleasant occurrences of the previous night.  Almost all their talk with him that evening when the guests had gone and the babies were being put to bed, was of the work they hoped to do in connection with their missionary and Dorcas societies.

To Lulu had been assigned the duty of visiting the family of Ajax, for the purpose of learning what were their most pressing needs in the line of clothing.

Speaking of it, she asked, “Ought I not to go to-morrow, papa? and will you go with me?”

“I say yes to both questions,” he replied.  “You may be ready for your call directly we are done with school duties; that will give us time to go and return in good season for dinner.”

“Yes, sir; I’ll be ready.  Thank you very much for promising to take me.”

“Liza must feel lonesome to-night, thinking about Ajax in jail,” remarked Grace thoughtfully; “but I’m glad he’s there so that he can’t be trying to break into anybody’s house.  Papa, could he get out and come here again?”

“It is hardly possible,” answered her father, looking tenderly down into her face, and smoothing her curls with caressing hand; “and he would not want to hurt you if he could come into the house.  I don’t see how any one could wish to harm my gentle, kindhearted little Grace.”