Grace indeed was so weary that her father carried her up to her room, and did not leave her till she was snug in bed.
She dropped asleep the instant her head touched the pillow and he stood for a moment gazing a little anxiously at her pale face.
"You don't think Gracie's sick, papa, do you?" asked Lulu softly.
"No, I trust she will be all right in the morning—the darling! but she seems quite worn out now," he sighed.
Then sitting down he drew Lulu into his arms. "Has it been a happy day with you, dear child?" he asked.
"Yes, papa, very; just full of pleasure; and now that night has come, I'm so glad that I have my own dear papa to hug me up close, and that he's going to sleep in the next room to Gracie and me."
"I'm glad too," he said. "Yes, we have a great deal to be thankful for—you and I. Most of all for God's unspeakable gift—the dear Saviour whose birth and life and death have bought all our other blessings for us.
"My child, try to keep in mind always, even when engaged in your sports, that you are his and must so act and speak as to bring no disgrace upon his cause; make it your constant endeavor to honor him in all your words and ways."
"I do mean to, papa; but oh it is so easy to forget!"
"I know it, my darling; I find it so too; but we must watch and pray, asking God earnestly night and morning, on our knees, to keep us from temptation and from sin, and often sending up a swift, silent petition from our hearts at other times when we feel that we need help to overcome.