"Yes, sir, I'm not too tired. Good-night, Gracie," she said, and ran back to her mates. Their tongues were running on the old theme of the wedding so soon to take place, gifts to the bride, and dresses to be worn by her and her attendants. But all of them were pretty well worn out with the shopping and traveling gone through in the last few days, seeing which their elders thought best to hold the evening service a little earlier than usual, then retired to rest. "Papa, please may I ask a few questions now, before you leave me?" Lulu entreated when he came in to bid her good-night. "Yes," he replied with an amused look; "that is number one, and how many are to follow?" seating himself and drawing her to his knee. "Oh, I don't know exactly, sir; it will depend somewhat upon the answers, I think," she returned laughingly, putting an arm round his neck and kissing him with ardent affection. "Then let me go through the ordeal as soon as possible," he responded, patting her cheek and pressing his lips to hers. "I hope it won't be a very dreadful ordeal to you, papa," she said, smiling up into his eyes. "Firstly, then, are we to have school as usual between this and the time of the wedding?" "Yes," was the prompt, decided reply. "Oh, dear!" she said between a sigh and a laugh, "I 'most wish you were one of the fathers that could be coaxed. But oh, please don't begin to look sorry and grave. I'm determined I will be good about that and everything; just as good as I know how to be; and if I'm not I just hope you'll punish me well, only not by refusing to allow me to act as bridesmaid to Cousin Betty." "Love to your father and a desire to please him seems to me a far better motive for good behavior than fear of punishment," he said with grave look and tone. "Yes, sir; and that is my motive; please believe it, my own dear, dear father," she said, lifting dewy eyes to his. "Then I have strong hope that my pleasure in the coming festivities will not be spoiled by having a naughty, rebellious little daughter to deal with, or an idle one, either. Now what else?" "Only this, papa: that if you should have letters to write you will let me help you, using my typewriter, you know." "Thank you, my dear little helpful daughter. Should I find that I have letters you could answer for me in that way, I will call upon you for your offered assistance, as I well know it will be a pleasure to you to render it," he replied, with a smile and another tender caress. "And I hope you feel no doubt that it is not for lack of love for his dear child that your father refuses the holiday you have asked for." "No indeed, papa. I know you love me dearly. It would break my heart to think you didn't." "As it would mine to think my little girl did not love me. Now you must go at once to bed. Good-night and pleasant dreams." CHAPTER IX.