Lulu was beginning to express that opinion, when her father silenced her
by a gesture.

All quieted down at once, while he reverently gave thanks for their
food, and asked God's blessing upon it.

"May I talk now, papa?" she asked, a moment after he had finished.

"Yes, if you have any thing to say worth our hearing."

"I'm not sure about that," she said; "but I wanted to tell you how
beautiful I think the china and glass and silver are."

"Ah!" he said, smiling, "I am glad they meet your approval."

"O papa! such a nice, _nice_ home as you have made for us!" exclaimed
Grace in her turn. "Isn't it, Maxie?" turning to her brother.

"Yes, indeed! and we'll have to be nice, nice children to fit the home,
won't we, Gracie?"

"Yes, and to fit papa and mamma," she responded, sending a merry glance
from one to the other.

Both smiled upon her in return.

"We are going to have a house-warming this evening, Gracie," said her
father: "do you know what that is?"

"No, papa; but I think it's very nice and warm now in all the rooms.