"Yes; I have seldom seen a finer," he assented.

"And the sun is shining so brightly; can't I take a walk with you
to-day?" she asked, looking coaxingly up into his face.

"Why, my child, the walks and roads are sheeted with ice; you could not
stand, much less walk on them."

"I think I could, papa, if--if you'd only let me try. But oh don't look
troubled, for indeed, indeed, I'm not going to be naughty about it,
though I have been shut up in the house for so long, except just riding
in the close carriage to church yesterday."

"Yes; and I know it has been hard for you," he said, smoothing her hair
with caressing hand.

Then sitting down he drew her to one knee, Gracie to the other.

"How would my little girls like to be excused from lessons to-day and
given, instead, a sleigh-ride with papa, mamma, Max and little Elsie?"

"Oh ever so much, papa!" they cried, clapping their hands in delight.
"How good in you to think of it!"

"'Specially for me, considering how very, very naughty I was only last
week," added Lulu, in a remorseful tone. "Papa, I really think I
oughtn't to be let go."

"And I really think I should not be deprived of the pleasure of having