Yet I think she had no disposition to leave it,--shame and remorse causing a desire to hide herself from everybody." "It strikes me as a hopeful sign," Elsie said; "and I do not despair of one day seeing Lulu a noble woman, the joy and pride of her father's heart." She held out her hand as she spoke.
The captain grasped it warmly.

"Thank you, mother, for those kind and hopeful words," he said with emotion.

"For the last year or two, she has been alternately my joy and my despair; and I am resolved to leave no effort untried to rescue her from the dominion of her fierce temper.
"The task would doubtless have been far easier could I have undertaken it years ago, in her early infancy.

But I trust it is not yet too late to accomplish it, with the help and the wisdom I may have in answer to prayer.
"No, I am sure it is by no means a hopeless undertaking, looking where you do for needed strength and wisdom; and I rejoice almost as much for Lulu's sake as for Vi's, that you have now come among us to stay.

I will try to see her in the morning, and do what I can to make it easy for her to join the family circle again.
"And now good-night.