"Why, I never should have dreamed you could do it so well!" she said. "I don't believe I could." Lulu's face flushed with pleasure, but she said modestly, "Perhaps you'd find, if you should try, that you could do it better; you do everything else better than I do." "Quite a mistake," returned Zoe, "though I ought to, as I'm so much older. But there, I dare say Max is ready and waiting for me, so good-by." They met in the lower hall. "All ready, Max?" she asked. "Yes--no; I must ask leave," and he ran into the parlor where the ladies of the family were sitting. It was of Grandma Elsie he asked permission, and it was given at once. "Thank you, ma'am," he said. "Can I do anything for you in the town, ladies?" "Yes," said Violet, "I have just broken a crochet needle. You may get me one to replace it." She went on to give him directions about the size and where he would be likely to find it; then taking some money from her purse, "This is sure to be more than enough," she said, "but you may keep the change." "Mamma Vi, I don't want pay for doing an errand for you," returned the boy coloring; "it is a great pleasure, it would be even if papa had not told me to wait on you and do all I could to fill his place." "I don't mean it as pay, my dear boy," Violet answered, with a pleased look, "but haven't I a right to make a little present now and then to the children who call me mamma?" Max's face brightened. "Yes, ma'am, I suppose so," he said. "Thank you; I'll take it willingly enough if it isn't pay, and I'm very proud to be trusted to buy something for you." Edward was helping Zoe into the saddle as Max came hurrying out. "Take good care of her, Max," he said, "I'm trusting you and Tom there with my chiefest treasure." "I'll do my best," Max said, mounting his pony, which Tom the colored boy was holding. "Me, too, Marse Ed'ard, dere shan't nuffin hurt Miss Zoe," added the latter, giving Max the bridle, then mounting a third horse and falling behind the others as they cantered down the avenue. A little beyond the gate the family carriage passed them, Mr. Dinsmore and a strange gentleman inside. "Company," remarked Zoe. "I wonder who he is, and if he's come to stay any time? I think grandpa drove into the city in season to meet the afternoon train." "Yes, I know he did," said Max. Max had now learned to ride quite well, and felt himself very nearly a man as he escorted Zoe to the village, and, arrived there, went with her from store to store, executed Violet's commission, then having assisted Zoe into the saddle remounted, and returned with her to Ion. It was very near the tea hour when they reached home. Zoe went directly to her own apartments to change her dress, but Max, without even waiting to take off his overcoat, hastened into the parlor to hand the crochet needle to Violet.