“You need not. I have dismissed him and shall not again engage a male music teacher for you: without consulting you,” he added in a playful tone, and smiling affectionately into her eyes.
“O papa, how good in you!” she cried, hugging him close.
“Now,” he said, “the next thing in order is to think what you can buy as your present to Gracie. How would you like to drive into the city with me this afternoon and select a gift for her?”
“Oh, very much indeed, papa!”
“Then go and get ready as quickly as you can, for we must start directly, in order to return by tea time. Your mamma will go with us, and if Gracie chooses, we will take her as far as Ion and leave her there until we return.”
“O papa, how nice!” she cried: then hurried away to do his bidding.
Grace was well pleased with her share of the drive, nor thought of any special reason for dropping her at Ion, further than that her father deemed it best.
Lulu came back in gayest spirits, accounting for them by saying that papa had been so very, very kind and had promised never to bid her take another lesson from Mr. Morgan.
It was Grace’s turn the next morning, when on awaking, she found a small table by her bedside, quite loaded with pretty gifts from near and dear ones.
Lulu’s was a lovely Paris doll, with a trunk full of ready-made clothes. Max’s a clock in a beautifully carved case. Papa, mamma, Grandma Elsie and other friends had given her books and toys.