“Yes, sir,” replied Lulu, and went slowly toward the little group under the tree, while her father passed round to the other side of the house.

“He was not very much vexed with you, Lu, was he?” queried Rosie, in a kindly inquiring tone, as Lulu joined them, looking grave and a trifle sad, while traces of tears could be discerned on her cheeks and about her eyes.

“Papa only seemed sorry that—­that I could be so disobedient,” faltered the little girl, tears starting to her eyes again; “but he always punishes disobedience,—­which is just what he ought to do, I am sure,—­and he has forbidden me to eat any more nuts for a week.  I chose that rather than doing without a caress from him for the same length of time.  So you see he was not very severe; not half so severe as I deserved that he should be.”

The others agreed with her that it was but a light punishment; then they began talking of something else.

Nuts were a part of the dessert that day, and Lulu, sitting near her father, asked in a low aside, “Papa, mayn’t I pick out some kernels for you?”

“If you wish, daughter,” he answered; and she performed the little service with evident pleasure.

“Thank you, dear child,” he said, with a loving look and smile as she handed them to him.  Speaking of it to Violet that night in the privacy of their own room, “I found it hard to take and eat them without sharing with her, the dear, affectionate child!” he said, with feeling, “but I knew it gave her pleasure to do her father that little service.  Ah, it is so much pleasanter to fondle and indulge one’s children than to reprove or punish them! yet I am sure it is the truest kindness to train them to obedience, as the Bible directs.”

“Yes,” returned Violet, “and I have often noticed that those parents who do follow that Bible teaching are more loved and respected by their children than the foolishly indulgent ones.  And, by the way, how devotedly fond of her father Lulu is!  It delights me to see it.”

“Me also, my dear,” he returned, with a pleased little laugh.  “I doubt if any man ever had better, dearer children—­speaking of the whole five together—­than mine.  Nor can I believe that ever a father esteemed his greater treasures than I do mine.”

The rest of the winter passed quietly and peacefully to our friends at Viamede, the young folks making good progress with their studies, the older ones finding employment in various ways—­the ladies in reading, writing letters, overseeing house and servants, and making and receiving visits; Mr. Dinsmore in much the same manner, except that he gave himself no concern about domestic affairs; while the captain found full employment in instructing his pupils and superintending work on the plantation; but with time enough to spare for participation in the diversions and recreations of the others.

Grandma Elsie had entirely recovered her health, and as spring opened they began to talk of returning to their more northern homes, yet continued to tarry, looking for a visit to Viamede from the dear ones of Ion and Fairview.