"But I wouldn't, because my father has taught me not to break engagements without very strong reasons; which I don't think I have in this case."
He laughed a little at that. "Well, daughter," he said, "you shall do as you please about it, and I am glad to see that you are so good at remembering your father's instructions and so ready to obey them."
"Thank you, sir. And now must I answer Chester's note—or will you do it for me?"
"That shall be just as you please, daughter. Perhaps it would be as well for you to write the answer; but, if you greatly prefer to have me do so, I shall not refuse."
"May I do it on the typewriter?"
"If you prefer it, I see no objection."
"I do prefer it; it is so much easier and quicker than working with a pen," she said.
"Perhaps you would better wait until to-morrow morning, however," he suggested; "for, on thinking the matter over, you may find that you prefer to accept the invitation after all."
He was examining the rest of his mail, and she considered his proposition for a moment before replying to it.
"Yes, papa," she said at length, "I will wait a little—perhaps till to-morrow morning—before writing my answer. And now I will get ready to write replies to those letters at your dictation."