proposition for a moment before replying to it.

"Yes, papa," she said at length, "I will wait a little--perhaps till
to-morrow morning--before writing my answer. And now I will get ready to
write replies to those letters at your dictation."

"Yes, daughter; fortunately there are but few that call for a reply, and
it need not be long in any case." He laid down the letters and took the
cover from the machine as he spoke, then supplied her with paper and
envelopes, put a sheet into the machine, and began dictating. They made
quick work of it, and had finished in about half an hour.

Violet joined them just as Lulu took the last sheet from the machine.

"Oh," she said, "I see you are busy; but I will not interrupt."

"We are just done, my dear, and very glad to have you with us," said her
husband.

"Yes, Mamma Vi, this is the last letter papa wants written for him, and
you are just in time to help me decide on a reply to one of my own."

"Willingly, if you wish it; but I should say your father's advice would
be worth far more than mine," returned Violet in a sprightly tone.
"Levis, my dear, do you refuse to tell her what to do or say?"

"I only advise her to follow her own inclination--if she can find out
what that is," he answered, regarding Lucilla with a smile that seemed a
mixture of fatherly affection and amusement.