r's son ought to be very brave," remarked Max after a moment's
thoughtful silence, half unconsciously thinking aloud. "I am quite sure
papa would face death any time rather than desert his colors, whether for
God or his country."

Elsie smiled kindly, approvingly upon the boy. It pleased her well to see
how proud and fond he was of his father; how thoroughly he believed in
him as the personification of all that was good and great and noble.

"I'm not nearly so brave," Max went on; "but, as papa says, the promises
are mine just as much as his, and neither of us can stand except in the
strength that God gives to those that look to Him for help in every hour
of temptation.

"Besides, Grandma Elsie, I'll not have death to fear as Peter had. Yet
I'm not sure that it isn't as hard, sometimes, to stand up against
ridicule."

"Yes; I believe some do find it so; many a man or boy has been found, in
the hour of trial, so lacking in true moral courage--which is courage of
the highest kind--as to choose to throw away his own life or that of
another rather than risk being jeered at as a coward. Ah, Max, I hope you
will always be brave enough to do right even at the risk of being deemed
a coward by such as 'love the praise of men more than the praise of
God.'"

"Oh, I hope so!" he returned; "and if I don't, I think there should be no
excuse made for me--a boy with such a father and such friends as you and
all the rest of the folks here."

"I am pleased that you appreciate your opportunities, Max," Elsie said.

Just at that moment Evelyn and Lulu came up the veranda steps with hands
filled with wild-flowers culled from among the myriads of beautiful ones
that spangled the velvety lawn where they had been strolling together
ever since leaving the house.

"See what lovely flowers. Grandma Elsie!" cried Lulu. "Oh, I thank you
for bringing me here to Viamede, and for saying that I may gather as many
of these as I please!"

"I am very glad you enjoy it, dear child," Elsie answered. "It was one of
my great pleasures as a child, and is such to this day."

"I gathered mine for you and Mamma Vi," said Lulu; "and--oh, I should
like to put this lovely white one in your hair, if you don't mind,
Grandma Elsie," she added with a wistful look into the sweet face still
so smooth and fair, spite of the passing years.

"If I don't mind? I shall be pleased to have it there," was the smiling
reply; and Lulu hastened to avail herself of the g