Lulu had brought the night-dress, and while helping her father, talked eagerly about the tableaux.
“I do think they were just lovely!” she said. “And Eva and Rosie looked so pretty in those costumes. I want to take part in ours. You’ll let me, papa, won’t you?”
“Yes, daughter; but I hope you will not be selfish toward your guests in regard to the choice of characters, or in showing a desire to appear in too many. I want my little girl to be a polite and considerate hostess, and always modest and retiring; never trying to push herself into notice, and never seeking her own gratification in preference to that of others.
“The Bible teaches us to please others in such things as are right, ‘For even Christ pleased not himself.’ And he is to be our pattern.”
“I’ll try,” she said with a thoughtful look. “Papa, I do believe you care more to have your children good than rich or beautiful or anything else.”
“I do indeed!” he returned; “it is my heart’s desire to see them all followers of Christ, heirs of eternal life; for what is the short life in this world compared to the everlasting ages of the one we are to live in the next? And godliness hath the promise of the life that now is as well as of that which is to come; there is no real happiness, my child, but in being at peace with God.”
Grace was now ready for bed, and her father laid her in it, saying, “Lie there and rest, papa’s dear pet, till your supper is brought up. Then Lulu may get your warm dressing-gown for you, and you may sit up to the table in your own little sitting-room while you eat. Then you can go to bed again as soon as you are done your meal; and I think Lulu will be willing to stay with you till you fall asleep.”
“Oh, yes; yes, indeed!” cried Lulu. “I’ll stay as long as she wants me.”
“But, papa, you haven’t kissed me good-night,” Gracie said, as he was turning away.
“No, darling,” he answered; “but I haven’t forgotten it. I am going down now to order your supper sent up, and when I think you have had time to eat it, I shall come back to bid you good-night.”