touches to your attire."

They joined their father in a few moments, talked over the
advertisements he had been examining and the question of the
desirability of this and that article as a wedding gift to Rosie, but
had reached no decision when the breakfast bell rang.

"Well, daughters," the captain said, "we will go down now to our
breakfast and, while we are eating, talk the matter over with your
mamma. She probably knows better than we what would be likely to please
Rosie."

"But we do not need to decide until we see the things, do we, papa?"
asked Lucilla.

"No, certainly not, and we may find something very handsome and suitable
that we have not thought of. I hope it will be a pleasure to both of you
to look over the pretty things and make a selection."

"You dear father," Grace said, smiling up into his eyes, "you are always
thinking of something to give your children pleasure."

"Yes," he said, returning her smile, "perhaps because it reacts upon
myself, giving me a great deal of pleasure."

They found Violet and the little ones already in the breakfast room;
morning greetings were exchanged, then they seated themselves at the
table, the captain asked a blessing, and the meal began.

They chatted pleasantly while eating, the principal subject of discourse