indulgent in every thing that he thought best to allow, that she was now
entirely satisfied to stay at home; particularly as Gracie was not well,
and needed her nursing.

Grace went early to bed and to sleep. Max and Evelyn had gone to the
Oaks: there were only grown people in the parlors now; and Lulu did not
care to be there, even if she had not wanted to be near her sleeping
sister.

There was an open, glowing fire in their little sitting-room, a high
fender of polished brass obviating all danger from it to the children's
skirts. Lulu seated herself in an easy-chair beside it, and fell into a
reverie, unusually deep and prolonged for her.

She called to mind all the Christmases she could remember,--not very
many,--the last two spent very pleasantly with her new mamma's
relatives; the two previous ones passed not half so agreeably, in the
poor apology for a home that had been hers and Grade's before their
father's second marriage.

But what a change for the better that had brought! What forlorn little
things she and Gracie were then! and what favored children now! What a
sweet, sweet home of their very own, with their father in it!--as she
had said to Eva that afternoon, "such a dear, kind father; interested in
every thing that concerned his children; so thoughtful about providing
pleasures for them, as well as needful food, shelter, and clothing;
about their health, too, and the improvement of their minds; reading
with them, even in other than school-hours; talking with them of what
they read, and explaining so clearly and patiently any thing they did
not quite understand; but, above all, striving to lead them to Christ,