missions, and other schemes of benevolence, and in order to help you in
that, we will spend a short time each evening, when not prevented by
company or some more important engagement, in reading and conversing on
this topic."

"I wish I could earn some money to give," said Lulu. "I'd like to carve
pretty things to sell; but who would buy them?"

"Possibly papa might become an occasional purchaser," her father said,
stroking her hair and smiling kindly upon her.

"Or Mamma Vi," added her young step-mother.

"And I have another offer to make you both," said the captain; "for
every day that I find you obedient, pleasant-tempered and industrious I
will give each of you twenty-five cents for benevolent purposes."

"Thank you, papa," they both said, their eyes sparkling with pleasure;
Max adding, "That will be a dollar and seventy-five cents a week."

"Yes; and for every week that either one of you earns the quarter every
day, I will add another to bring it up to two dollars."

"O papa, how nice!" exclaimed Lulu. "I mean to try very hard, so that I
may have enough to support a little Indian girl. And is Gracie to have
the same?"

"Certainly; and I shall not be greatly surprised if Gracie's missionary
box fills faster than either of the others."