"I had at Aunt Beulah's.

Gracie slept with her, in the room next to mine." "I supposed you and Gracie would prefer to be together in a room close to your papa's," Elsie said; "but there are rooms enough for you to have one entirely to yourself." "Then she shall," Violet said, smiling indulgently upon the little girl.
"Would you like my mother or me to help you choose what to wear to-night?
I want you to put on your best and look as pretty as ever you can." Lulu's face flushed with pleasure.

"Yes, ma'am," she said, going to her trunk, which Agnes had now opened; "but I haven't anything half so beautiful as the dress your sister has on." "Haven't you?
Well, never mind, you shall soon have dresses and other things quite as pretty as Rosie's," Violet said, stooping over the trunk to see what was there.
The child's eyes danced with delight.

"Oh, shall I?
Aunt Beulah never would get me the pretty things I wanted, to look like other girls, you know, or let my dresses be trimmed with ruffles and lace like theirs.

I used to think it would be dreadful to have a step-mother, but now I'm sure it isn't always." Violet smiled.