"What, with your big strong father to hold you fast?" he asked laughingly, sitting down and drawing her to a seat upon his knee; for they had entered the parlor.
"It might tire you to hold me so hard; I'm getting so big now," she answered naïvely, looking up into his face with a loving smile and stealing an arm about his neck.
"Ah, no danger of that," he laughed. "Why, I believe I could hold even your mamma or Lulu, and that against their will, without being greatly exhausted by the exertion.
"My dear," turning to Violet, "shall I have the pleasure of helping you up to the top of the tower?"
"Thank you, I think I shall not try it to-day," she answered; "they tell me the steps are very steep and hard to climb."
"Ah, so I suppose, and I think you are wise not to attempt it."
"But I may, mayn't I, papa?" Lulu said. "You know I always like to go everywhere."
"I fear it will be a hard climb for a girl of your size," he answered doubtfully.
"Oh, but I want to go, and I don't care if it is a hard climb," she said coaxingly, coming close to his side and laying her hand on his shoulder. "Please, papa, do say I may."
"Yes, since you are so desirous," he said, in an indulgent tone.