smiling up affectionately into his face. "I mean to be very kind to this
pretty pussy; and oh I'm ever so much obliged to you for her!"

His reply was prevented by a sudden, loud bark from the dog, as he spied
pussy on the rug.

"Turn him out into the hall, May," the captain said, hastily stepping in
between dog and cat. "Don't be alarmed for your pet, Gracie; he shall
not be permitted to harm her."

"Nor my Polly either, shall he, papa?" asked Lulu, who was trying to
make acquaintance with her new possession.

"No; certainly not. But take care of your fingers, daughter; she may
snap at them and give you a bite that you will remember for a long
while. Now go and get yourselves ready for tea. It is almost time for
the bell to ring."

The children made haste to obey. The captain and Violet lingered behind
for a moment.

"How pleased they are!" she said with a joyous look up into her
husband's face. "It's a perfect treat to witness their delight on such
occasions. I can hardly wait to show them the tree with all its
treasures."

"Dear wife, your affection for my darlings is a well-spring of joy to
me," he said with tender look and smile; "and theirs for you no less so.
I am sure you have completely won their hearts."