“And you will love me?”
“Dearly, papa.”
The girl gave a little joyous laugh.
“Oh, what a dear, dear word, papa, papa!”
“But there is one dearer yet, Eva.”
“Yes, by-and-by I shall get used to it; but will she let me, I hardly dare.”
“My sweet child, how little you know her. She is counting every moment till you come. I left her crying like a child.”
“Poor lady, poor mamma.”
The girl’s face brightened all over, as the word fell from her lips. She looked shyly at Ross, and whispered it again and again as if to familiarize herself with the sweet sound. He smiled and passed his hand over her head.
“Come now, your mother is waiting.”