"I shall go on a journey too; yes, I shall, I shall!" was Belle's answer.
"But you cannot, darling," said Mr. Powers; and then, as cheerfully as he could, he told his little girl why he and Daphne must go away, and what a pleasant arrangement had been made for her during their absence.
Belle did not make the outcry which Mrs. Bradford had expected, but every time her father paused, repeated, "I shall go a journey too."
Poor child! she was not accustomed to a ready obedience; and she knew that, if she persisted, she could often carry her point with her father; while he, feeling that this time, at least, he could not yield, feared each moment to hear her break out in cries and sobs when she found she could not have her own way. To all his coaxings and promises she made the one quiet but determined reply, though each time her voice became more choked.
But now Bessie came softly behind Mr. Powers, and, gently trying to disengage one of the little hands which were tightly clasped about his neck, said in a low tone,—
"You would not make a trouble for your papa, when you say you are 'his little comfort,' Belle, would you?"
"I shall go a journey with him," said Belle, in the same old tone.
"Oh no!" said Maggie, coming round to the other side; "you will stay here with us, and have such a lovely, lovely time. We are a very nice family to stay with," she added persuasively.
"Belle does not doubt that, I believe," said Mr. Powers, smiling rather sadly; "but she and I have no one but one another to pet, and it comes pretty hard to part, even for a time."
"But we are going to try and make her very, very happy, even if you are away, sir," answered Bessie.