“Oh!” Mabel stood the picture of distress. “I am so sorry, papa,” she repeated. “I’ll never do so again. What can I do to myself?”
A little smile flickered around her father’s mouth. “I’m afraid nothing you could do would restore my book. Another copy would be almost impossible to find.”
“Where did you get this one?”
“I came across it at an auction. It was in a lot of books which were lumped together, and went very cheap.”
“Was it an auction like that at Harold’s house this afternoon?”
“Yes.”
“How much is very cheap?”
“Oh, five dollars for the lot, I think I paid.”
Mabel was very thoughtful for a few moments. Several plans were at work in her mind. Finally, seeing that her father wanted to return to his work, she said: “I came to tell you how sorry I am, papa, and to say good-night. I think maybe, if you don’t kiss me I’d feel worse.”
“Do you want to feel worse?”