“It’s very nice in you to be so determined,” commented Grace, giving her sister an admiring affectionate look.

“It’s about time I was determined to do that sewing,” said Lulu, laughing a little, “for I’ve put it off over and over again because I wanted to indulge myself in playing games or reading a story.”

The ringing of the dinner bell put a stop to their talk.

At the table the captain said to his wife that business called him to the city, he must start directly the meal was over, and would not be able to get home till late, long after the usual bedtime; but he did not want any one to sit up for him, as he could let himself in with his latch key.

“O papa,” cried Lulu, “I’d like to sit up for you, if I may!”

“No, my child,” he said with his pleasant smile, “I quite appreciate the kind feeling that prompts that offer, but I want you to go to your bed at the usual hour.”

“Papa,” observed Max insinuatingly, and with an arch look, “it wouldn’t hurt a boy to sit up and wait for his father.”

“I’m not so sure of that,” laughed the captain; “boys need sleep as well as girls, and should not be deprived of their regular allowance, when there is no necessity.”

“How about wives?” asked Violet with a twinkle of fun in her eye.

“Wives are of course not under orders,” he returned gallantly, “but are free to do as they please; but I should be loath to have mine miss her beauty sleep.”

“Then I suppose she should try to take it for your sake,” laughed Violet.

“Papa, I wish you didn’t ever have to go away,” sighed Grace; “we shall miss so much the fun with the babies, and the nice talk with you while they are being put to bed, and then the reading afterwards.”

“I have not said anything about taking the babies with me, and really have no thought of doing so; as they would not be likely to prove of assistance in transacting my business,” returned her father gravely.

At that everybody laughed and Violet said to Gracie, “So you see, dearie, you need not despair of some fun with the babies.”

“Maybe not, mamma, but it won’t be just the same as when papa is with us, and while you are away putting them to bed we’ll miss papa ever so much.”

“I hope so,” he said, smiling on her; “it is pleasant to feel that one’s absence is regretted.  But, my dear little daughter, we can’t expect to have all our enjoyments every day.”

“No, sir;” said Lulu; “and we’ll miss you when Mamma Vi comes back and you are not there to read to us.”

“Of course we will,” said Violet, “but though your papa is unquestionably the finest reader among us, the rest of us can read intelligibly, and some of us can read aloud to the others; perhaps we may take turns.”

“A very good plan,” said the captain.  “But, my dear, I can not endorse that statement of yours in regard to our relative ability as readers.  I consider my wife as fine a reader as I ever listened to.”