everal letters to Mr. Dinsmore, select
several others and give them to the servant (with directions to carry
them up to the ladies), then lay a pretty large pile on the table, take
up one, and open it.

"There, those are papa's own," she said to herself, "and what a number
he has!--all to be answered, too. I don't believe he'll take time to
ride this morning; he's always so prompt about replying to a letter. Oh,
dear, I don't want to go without him, and I just wish they hadn't come
till to-morrow."

She walked slowly out to the veranda again.

Rosie and Evelyn had not yet made their appearance, and Grace was
romping about with little Elsie and Ned.

Just then a servant man came round from the stables, leading the ponies
the little girls were to ride, and at sight of them Lulu seemed to take
a sudden resolution.

"Oh, Solon," she said, hurrying toward the man, "you can put my pony
back into the stable; I'm not going to ride this morning; I've changed
my mind; and if anybody asks about me, you can tell them so," and with
that she ran away round the house and seated herself on the back
veranda, where she had been when Professor Manton made his call upon the
captain.

Presently she heard the ladies and young girls come down the stairs, her
father and Mr. Dinsmore come out from the library and assist the older
ones into the carriage, the younger to mount their ponies; then her
father's voice asking, "Where is Lulu?" and the servant's reply, "Miss
Lu, she tole me, sah, to tell you she doan want fo' to ride dis heah
mornin', sah"; then her father's surprised, "She did, Solon? Why, that
is a sudden change on her part. I thought she was quite delighted at the
prospect of going.

"Violet, my dear, I find I have so many letters calling for reply this
morning, that I, too, must remain at home."

Some exclamations of surprise and regret from the others followed; then
the sound of hoofs and wheels told that the party had set out on their
little excursion, and the captain's step was heard in the hall as he
returned to the library.

But a thought seemed to strike him as he reached its door, and he
paused, calling aloud, "Lulu! Lulu!"

She ran to him at once, answering, "Here I am, papa."

"Why, daughter, what is the meaning of this?" he asked. "Why did you not
go with the others?"

"Because I preferred to stay at home with my dear father; and I hope he
isn't displeased with me for it!" she replied, looking up coaxingly,