have a good deal of fun for ourselves and the girls too, if it is."

"You mean if there is sleighing and sledding," his father said with an
amused look. "It might be cold enough, yet the needed snow or ice be
lacking."

"Why, yes, sir, to be sure, so it might!" Max returned, laughing good
humoredly.

"What kind of fun is it you boys have planned for us girls?" asked Lulu.

"Never you mind," said Max; "you'll see when the time comes; the
surprise will be half of it you know."

"My dear, you seem to me a very wise and kind father," Violet remarked
to her husband when they found themselves alone together, after Max and
Lulu had gone to their beds. "I very highly approve of the plans you
have just proposed for them. Though, of course the approval of a silly
young thing, such as I, must be a matter of small consequence," she
added, with a merry, laughing look up into his face.

"Young, but not silly," he returned, with a very lover-like look and
smile. "I consider my wife's judgment worth a great deal, and am highly
gratified with her approval. I am extremely desirous," he went on more
gravely, "to train my darlings to systematic benevolence, a willingness
to deny themselves for the cause of Christ, and to take an interest in
every branch of the work of the church."