he stairs, and each was shown into a very pleasant
room furnished tastefully and with every comfort and convenience.

Lulu's had two doors, one opening into the hall, the other into her
mamma's bedroom.

Elsie explained this, adding, "So, if you are in want of anything or
should feel frightened or lonely in the night, you can run right in to the
room where you will find your mamma and Gracie."

"Yes, ma'am, that is very nice; and oh, what a pretty room! How kind and
good you are to me! and to my brother and sister, too!" cried Lulu, her
eyes shining with gratitude and pleasure.

"I am very glad to be able to do it," Elsie said, taking the little
girl's hand in one of hers and smoothing her hair caressingly with the
other--for Lulu had taken off her hat. "I want to be a mother to you, dear
child, and to your brother and sister, since my dear daughter is too young
for so great care and responsibility. I love you all, and I want you to
come freely to me with all your troubles and perplexities, your joys and
sorrows, just as my own children have always done. I want you to feel that
you have a right to do so, because I have invited you."

She bent down and kissed Lulu's lips, and the little girl threw her arms
about her neck with impulsive warmth, saying, "Dear Grandma Elsie, I love
you and thank you ever so much! And I mean to try ever so hard to be
good," she added, with a blush and hanging her head shamefacedly. "I know
I'm often very naughty; papa said I gave him more anxiety than Max and
Gracie both put together; and I'm afraid I can't be good all the time, but
I do mean to try hard."

"Well, dear, if you try with all your might, asking help from on high, you
will succeed at last," Elsie said. "And now I will leave you to wash and
dress. I see your trunk has been brought up and opened, so that you will
have no difficulty."

With that she passed on into Violet's rooms to see how Gracie was. She
found her sleeping sweetly in Violet's bed, the latter bending over her
with a very tender, motherly look on her fair young face.

"Is she not a darling, mamma?" she whispered, turning her head at the
sound of her mother's light footstep.

"She is a very engaging child," replied Elsie. "I think we are all fond of
her, but you especially."

"Yes, mamma, I love her for herself--her gentle, affectionate
disposition--but still more because she is my husband's child, his dear
baby girl, as he so often called her."

"Ah, I