"I heard father say he loved you bestest of ev'rybody in a world."
She threw up her arms and gave a little jump.
"Oh, I wish I had some one to play with!"
"Let's go watch for father again," said the mother, rising.
This time they were not disappointed. They heard the sound of wheels; then they saw the father. The little daughter ran like the wind down the road. The father stopped the horses, gave the reins to the driver, and stepped to the ground. In an instant the little sprite was in his arms, hugging him about the neck, while her ripples of laughter filled the air. The wife approached, and was folded in the man's embrace.
"Father," said the child, "I am to have a big brother, mother says."
"You are?" Great astonishment.
The parents smiled.
"An', father,"—here she coquetted with him—"you and mother are not to 'nopolize him when he comes. He's going to play with me, isn't he, mother?"
"I think so." A grave smile.