that set time.

"If you want to go on with this Dorcas work you must set apart some
particular time for it, when it will not interfere with other duties,
and resolve not to allow yourself to use that time for anything else."

"Unless my father orders me?" she said half inquiringly, half in
assertion, and with an arch look and smile.

"Yes; there may be exceptions to the rule," he replied returning the
smile.

"Now we have talked long enough on this subject and must begin to put in
practice the rule I have just laid down."

"Yes, sir; I have my ciphering to do now. But, papa, must I learn the
lessons over and rewrite the composition this afternoon? If you say I
must, I'll have to miss the meeting of our society. I'd be very sorry
for that and ashamed to have to tell why I wasn't there. Please, papa,
won't you let me go, and do my work over after I get back? There'll be
an hour, or more before tea and then all the evening."

He did not answer immediately, and she added, with a wistful, pleading
look, "I know I don't deserve to be let go, but you've often been a
great deal better to me than I deserved."

"As I well may be, considering how far beyond my deserts are my
blessings," he said with a tender smile and another kiss. "Yes,
daughter, you may attend the meeting and I shall hope to hear some
excellent recitations from you before you go to your bed to-night."

"Oh thank you, dear papa! I'll try my very hardest," she exclaimed
joyously, giving him a vigorous hug.

The society met at Ion that day. The captain and Violet drove over with
the children, and leaving them there while they went on some miles
farther, called for them again on their return at the close of the hour
appropriated to its exercises.

Grandma Elsie's face hardly expressed approval as she examined Lulu's
work, but she let it pass, only saying in a low aside to the little
girl, "It is not quite so well done as the last garment you brought in,
my child, but I will overlook the partial failure, hoping the next bit
of work will be an improvement upon both."

Lulu blushed and was silent; once she would have made an angry retort,
but she was slowly learning patience and humility.

On arriving at home she set immediately to work at her tasks, nor left
off till the tea bell rang. The time had been too short for her to make
much progress, and it was quite a trial to have to spend the whole
evening in her own room while the others were enjoying the