"Yes: we will go some day soon to the city, and choose some fine engravings for your rooms, Max's and Gracie's; furniture, too, carpets, curtains, and new paper for the walls."
"Oh, but that will be delightful!" she exclaimed. "Papa, you are just too good and kind for any thing."
Max, who was near at hand, had overheard. "That's so!" he said. "I suppose you mean that I am to go too, papa?"
"Yes; Gracie also. My dear," to Violet, "when will it suit you to accompany us?—to-morrow?"
"To-morrow is Saturday," she said reflectively. "Suppose we say Monday? I hope baby will be so much better by that time, that I shall feel easy in leaving her for a long day's shopping."
"Very well," he said: "we will go Monday morning if nothing happens to prevent."
"Lulu looks as if she did not know how to wait so long," Violet said, smiling kindly on the little girl. "Can't you take her and Max and Gracie to-morrow, and again on Monday? Surely, they can select some things for their own rooms, with you to help them."
"No. I want your taste as well as my own and theirs, and Lulu must learn to wait: it is a lesson she needs," he added, looking down at her with grave kindliness, and pressing affectionately the hand she had slipped into his.
She flushed, and cast down her eyes.
"Yes, papa," she murmured, "I will try to be good and patient. I'm sure
I ought to be when you are so very good to me."