"No, no! How shall we bring them together?"
"In the most natural way possible. When tea is ready I will escort her out to the table and introduce our daughter. She is a child and will submit to be governed and led. But where is Lily? I have not seen her for a long time."
"Gone to her room with a letter from Willie, I imagine, as her cheeks put on an unusual glow when a small package was placed in her hand by the carrier."
"What makes you say that, Lillian? Do you suppose that the heart of our child is in any way entangled with that boy's love?"
"I do not know."
The subject of this conversation came tripping down the broad staircase, and with a buoyant step entered the room where her father and mother were standing by the window.
"See what Willie has sent me for Christmas!" she exclaimed, holding up a finger adorned by a ring set with precious stones.
"An engagement ring my darling?"
"O no! We never thought of such a thing. He is my brother, that is all!" The sweet face could but crimson as she looked into that of her father.
"I believe you, darling; and as a brother he will be loved by us all."