we got into the carriage to come
home. He said he was very sorry for her, but if she continued to be
honest and industrious, he would see that she did not want; and he hoped
her husband would some day come out of prison a better man."

"Did she seem thankful to papa?" asked Grace.

"Yes; and she said she didn't see how Ajax could be so bad and
ungrateful as to try to steal papa's money after he'd been so kind to
her and the children."

"Yes, and I pity 'Liza for being his wife, and the children because they
have such a bad father.

"Lu, let's ask papa if we mayn't buy some calico and other things, with
some of our benevolence money, and make clothes for them."

"I wouldn't mind giving the money," said Lulu, "but I hate to sew on
such things. You know I never did like plain sewing. I'll see about it
though."

"You'd do it to please the dear Lord Jesus, even though you don't like
it?" said Grace softly.

"Yes, that I will, if papa approves," returned Lulu warmly, her eyes
shining. "Gracie, it's good--a real pleasure, I mean--to make yourself
do distasteful things, for Jesus' sake.

"I'll put my hat and coat in their proper places and smooth my hair, so
I'll be neat for dinner, and we'll go and talk to papa about it at once.
He's sure to approve, and I don't want to give myself any chance to
change my mind and give the thing up."

"And we won't mind Grandma Elsie hearing," added Grace; "perhaps she'll
know what they need the most, and maybe she'll tell Rosie and Eva and
they'll offer to do something for the poor things too."

"Oh yes: perhaps we can form ourselves into a Dorcas society. That's
what they call societies that make garments for the poor you know,
because of Dorcas in the Bible who made coats and garments for the poor
where she lived."

"Yes, Lu; but there's the dinner bell, and we'll have to wait awhile
before we can talk to papa about it; for you know he says we mustn't
talk a great deal at the table when there's company."

"And I have to smooth my hair yet, and that will make me late. I'm so
sorry, because it vexes papa to have us unpunctual. Don't wait for me,
Gracie, for that will make you late too."

"I'd rather wait for you, but I 'spose I ought to go at once," Gracie
said, looking regretfully back as she left the room.

The blessing had been asked and the captain was carving the turkey when
Lulu took her seat at the table, which was close at his right hand.

He gave her a grave look.