“Mamma Vi does read beautifully,” remarked Max, with an affectionate, admiring glance at her.

“I think so too,” assented Lulu, adding “and if she will read to us it will be a great favor, and I am sure will make the time pass quickly and very pleasantly.”

“No doubt,” said the captain, “and I am glad you are ready to appreciate such an effort on your mamma’s part; but she may have other plans for the evening.”

Violet had intended to spend it in writing to her absent brothers, but instantly decided to sacrifice her own wishes to those of the children.

“I am sure I shall enjoy reading to so appreciative an audience,” she said laughingly, “and feel myself highly honored in filling my husband’s place.”

“Max and Lulu,” said the captain, “don’t forget the tasks set for this afternoon; you can easily accomplish them before tea and have an hour or more for exercise beside.”

Both replied with a promise not to forget or neglect his requirements, and immediately upon bidding her father good-bye and seeing him out of sight, Lulu went to her room and applied herself to the study of her lessons first, then to the writing of her composition.

She did her work hurriedly, however, with the thought of the sewing for which she now had so little time, ever present with her; consequently the lessons took small hold upon her memory and the remaining task was very indifferently performed.

She was in the act of wiping her pen when Max called to her and Grace that the ponies were at the door and they three and Mamma Vi were to have a ride together.

“Oh how nice!” cried both little girls, and hastened to don riding hats and habits.

They had grown exceedingly fond of their young step-mother; and as she did not very often find it convenient to share their rides, to have her do so was considered quite a treat.

On their return Lulu, hardly waiting to remove her out door garments and make herself presentable for the evening, went at the sewing with all the activity and determination of her very energetic nature.

“It’s got to be done if I have to work like a steam engine!” she exclaimed to Grace, thrusting in and drawing out her needle with a rapidity that surprised her little sister.

“I never saw you sew so fast, Lu,” she said.  “I couldn’t do it; I’d have to take more time to be sure my stitches were nice and even.”

“Oh it’s for poor folks and so it’s strong, it won’t make much difference about the looks,” returned Lulu, working away at the same headlong pace.

“But Grandma Elsie is particular about the stitches,” said Grace; “don’t you remember she told us she was, for our own sakes more than the poor folks’; because it would be a sad thing for us to fall into slovenly habits of working?”

“Yes, I do remember now you speak of it; and I’ll try to make the work neat as well as to do it fast.”