As it was, she came rushing out at almost the last moment, just as the
captain was handing his wife into the vehicle.

Max met her before she had reached the outer door. "Lu, Mamma Vi says
you will need a wrap before we get back; probably even going, and you're
to bring one along."

"I sha'n't need any such thing! and I'm not going to be bothered with
it!" cried Lulu, in a tone of angry impatience, hurrying on toward the
entrance as she spoke.

"Whew! what have you been doing to yourself?" exclaimed Max, suddenly
noting the change of attire, while Grace, standing in the doorway,
turned toward them with a simultaneous exclamation, "Why, Lulu--" then
broke off, lost in astonishment at her sister's audacity.

"Hush, both of you! can't you keep quiet?" snapped Lulu, turning from
one to the other; then as her father's tall form darkened the doorway,
and a glance up into his face showed her that it was very grave and
stern, she shrank back abashed, frightened by the sudden conviction that
he had overheard her impertinent reply to her mamma's message, and
perhaps noticed the change in her dress.

He regarded her for a moment in silence, while she hung her head in
shame and affright; then he spoke in tones of grave displeasure, "You
will stay at home to-day, Lulu; we have no room for disrespectful,
disobedient children--"

"Papa," she interrupted, half pleadingly, half angrily, "I haven't been