"You mustn't go; you mustn't go," said Minnie, drawing his arm round her neck. "I shall be so lonely if you do."
"But you were alone before I came in, Minnie."
"Yes," returned Minnie; "but I did not feel lonely then. I shall now, if you go away."
"Then I will stop for a little while," said Joshua, humoring her.
"Always good!" said Minnie gratefully, resting her lips upon her hand, "always good!"
"Why did you not feel lonely before I came, Minnie?"
"I was thinking."
"Of what?"
"Of long, long ago, when father was different to what he is now."
"It could not have been so long, long ago, little Minnie,"--here came a little caressing action from the child,--"you are only--how old?"