takes the right turn, will assuredly make a noble, useful woman."

"I hope so, mamma; and that will, I know, repay him for all his care and
anxiety on her account. No father could be fonder of his children or
more willing to do or endure anything for their sake. Of course I do not
mean anything wrong; he would not do wrong himself or suffer wrong-doing
in them; for his greatest desire is to see them truly good, real
Christians. I hope my darling, as she grows older, will be altogether a
comfort and blessing to him."

"As her mother has been to me, and always was to her father," Elsie
responded in loving tones.

"Thank you, mamma," Violet said with emotion; "oh, if I had been an
undutiful daughter and given pain and anxiety to my best of fathers, how
my heart would ache at the remembrance, now that he is gone. And I feel
deep pity for Lulu when I think what sorrow she is preparing for herself
in case she outlives her father, as in the course of nature she is
likely to do."

"Yes, poor child!" sighed Elsie; "and doubtless she is even now enduring
the reproaches of conscience aggravated by the fear that she may not see
her father very soon again.

"She and Gracie, to say nothing of my dear Vi, will be feeling lonely
to-morrow, and Edward, Zoe, and I have planned various little
excursions, by land and water, to give occupation to your thoughts and
pleasantly while away the time."

"You are always so kind, dearest mamma," said Violet; "always thinking