tle daughter.

"I think you are quite right, Mr. Dinsmore," remarked Mrs. Allison.
"I know we pamper our children's appetites entirely too much, as I have
often said to their father; but he does not agree with me, and I have not
sufficient firmness to carry out the reform by myself."

"No, I like to see them enjoy themselves, and whatever I have, I want my
children to have, too," said Mr. Allison, bluntly.

"It would seem the kindest treatment at first sight, but I don't think
it is in the end," replied Mr. Dinsmore. "To buy present enjoyment at
the expense of an enfeebled constitution is paying much too dear for it,
I think."

"Ah! young people are full of notions," said the elder gentleman, shaking
his head wisely, "and are very apt to be much more strict with the first
child than with any of the rest. You are bringing this one up by rule,
I see; but mark my words: if you live to be the father of as many as I
have, you will grow less and less strict with each one, until you will
be ready to spoil the youngest completely."

"I hope not, sir; I am very sure I could not possibly love another better
than I do this," Mr. Dinsmore said with a smile, and coloring slightly,
too; then adroitly changed the subject by a remark addressed to Edward.

Immediately after tea the whole family adjourned to the sitting-room, the
servants were called in, and Mr. Allison read a portion of Scripture and
prayed; afterwards remarking to Mr. Dinsmore that it was his custom to
attend to this duty early in the evening, that the younger children might
have the benefit of it without being kept up too late.

Mr. Dinsmore expressed his approval, adding that it was his plan also.

"Papa," whispered Elsie, who was close to him, "I am to sleep with
Sophy."

"Ah! that will be very pleasant for you," he said, "but you must be a
good girl, and not give any unnecessary trouble."

"I will try, papa. There, Sophy is calling me; may I go to her?"

"Certainly;" and he released her hand, which he had been holding in his.

"I want to show you my garden," said Sophy, whom Elsie found in the hall;
and she led the way out through a back door which opened into a garden
now gay with spring flowers and early roses.

Sophy pointed out the corner which was her especial property, and
exhibited her plants and flowers with a great deal of honest pride.

"I planted every one of them myself," she said. "Harold dug up the ground
for me, and I did all the rest,