"No, you wouldn't," said Lulu, "for you would know papa wouldn't hurt you any more than he thought necessary for your own good. Now let me help you dress, for it must be near breakfast time."
"Oh, thank you; yes, I'll have to hurry. Do you love papa as well as ever, Lu?"
"Better," returned Lulu, emphatically; "it seems odd, but I do. I shouldn't though if I thought he took pleasure in beating me, or punishing me in any way."
"I don't b'lieve he likes to punish any of us," said Grace.
"I know he doesn't," said Lulu. "And it isn't any odder that I should love him in spite of his punishments, than that he should love me in spite of all my naughtiness. Yes, I do think, Gracie, we have the best father in the world."
"'Course we have," responded Grace; "but then we don't have him half the time; he's 'most always on his ship," she added tearfully.
"Are you ready for breakfast, dears?" asked a sweet voice at the door.
"Yes, Grandma Elsie," they answered, hastening to claim the good-morning kiss she was always ready to bestow.
Lulu's heartache had found some relief in her confidence to her sister, and she showed a pleasanter and more cheerful face at the table than Violet expected to see her wear.
It grew brighter still when she learned that they were all to have a long, delightful drive over the hills and moors, starting almost immediately upon the conclusion of the meal.