“Isn’t she willing to do the same for me too, papa?” asked Lulu, in a slightly hurt tone.

“I think so,” he answered pleasantly; “but there is the dressmaking, and I couldn’t think of such a thing as asking to have that carried on at Ion.”

Lulu seemed to have nothing more to say and Grace gave her a troubled look; then, with a little hesitation, “Papa,” she said, “I—­I think I’d rather stay at home with Lu, if I may.”

“No, daughter,” he answered, still speaking very pleasantly.  “I have not time to give my reasons just now; but I want you to go, and Lulu to stay.  It will probably be for only a few days; and I think she may trust her father not to allow her to be very lonely in the meanwhile,” he added, with a smile directed to Lulu, but which she did not seem to see, keeping her face down and her eyes fixed upon her book.

Then he left the room, saying to Grace as he went out, “Make haste, daughter, to gather up your books and whatever else you may wish to take with you.  I have already ordered the carriage and there is no time to waste.  Lulu may help you if she will.”

“Will you, Lu?” asked Grace, with a very sympathizing look at her sister.  “Oh, I wish papa had said you were to go too!  Whatever shall I do without my dear, big sister!”

“Never mind, Gracie; I’m sure I don’t want to go where I’m not wanted,” replied Lulu, in a hurt tone.

“I’m sure it isn’t because they wouldn’t like to have you there,” returned Grace, running to her sister and putting her arms about her neck.

“Why don’t they ask me, then?” queried Lulu, a little angrily.

“May be they did.  I’m most sure Grandma Elsie wouldn’t forget to include you in her invitation; and, oh, yes! don’t you remember papa did say we were all invited?  But you know there are the lessons, and I suppose papa would rather hear them himself.”

“But he could hear them there.”

“Yes; so he could if he wanted to.  But then there’s the dressmaking, you know.”

“That could be put off for a few days,” returned Lulu, with a very grown-up air.  “There are plenty of ways when people want to do a thing—­plenty of excuses to be thought of when they don’t.  Alma has numerous customers and could sew for somebody else first, giving her my time, and me hers after we get home.”

“Oh, maybe it could be managed in that way!” exclaimed Grace joyously; “and I’d so much rather have you along.  I think I’ll ask papa.”

“No, don’t you do any such thing,” returned Lulu, in a not particularly amiable tone.  “If I’m not wanted, I’m sure I don’t wish to go.  But you’ll have to hurry, Gracie.  You know papa is very particular about our being prompt in obeying his orders.”

“Yes,” returned Grace, who was again at her desk, “but I have been busy all this time getting out the books and other things I must take along, and now I’ll go upstairs and get dressed and put up the things there that I want.  Won’t you go with me?  You’ll know so much better than I what I need to take.”