Every one pronounced it a model schoolroom, some of the older people adding that it made them almost wish themselves young enough to again be busy with lessons and recitations.
"Where's your ferule, Brother Levis?" asked Rosie, facetiously, after a close scrutiny of the table, not omitting its drawer.
"I think you have not made a thorough examination of the closet yet," was his noncommittal reply.
"Oh, that's where you keep it? I say girls——" in a loud whisper, perfectly audible to everyone in the room, "let's carry it off before he has a chance to use it."
"Hardly worth while, since it would be no difficult matter to replace it," remarked the captain, with assumed gravity and sternness.
"Ah, then I suppose one may as well be resigned to circumstances," sighed Rosie, following the others from the room.
"Papa, can I help you?" asked Lulu, seeing him seat himself at the table in the library, take out writing materials from its drawer, and dip a pen into the ink.
"No, thank you, daughter," he replied. "I am going to write to Max."
"Please tell him we are all ever so sorry he can't be here to spend Christmas and New Year's with us."
"I will."