"She thought the new baby would steal all your love," said Max.
"Silly child!" said her father, drawing her closer and giving her another
kiss. "Do you think my heart is so small that it can hold love enough for
but a limited number? Did I love Max less when you came? or you less when
our Heavenly Father gave Gracie to us? No, daughter; I can love the
newcomer without any abatement of my affection for you."
"Papa, I'm sorry I said it. I won't talk so any more; and I mean to love
the baby very much," she murmured with her arm about his neck, her cheek
laid to his.
"I hope so," he said; "it would give me a very sad heart to know that you
did not love your little sister.
"Well, Max, my son, what is it?"
The boy was hanging his head and his face had suddenly grown scarlet,
"Papa, I--I--Did you get my letter and diary I sent you last month?"
"Yes; and Lulu's also," the captain said, with a sigh and a glance from
one to the other, his face growing very grave. "I think my children would
often be deterred from wrongdoing by the thought of the pain it will cause
their father, if they could at all realize how sore it is.
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