"Oh, very, papa! what a delightful time we are having!"
"You will be almost sorry when the time comes for returning home?"
"Oh, no, indeed, sir! we have such a sweet home that I am always glad to be back to it when we have been away for a few weeks."
"But then playtime will be over and studies must be renewed."
"And that, with such a cross, cross teacher whom nobody loves," she returned sportively, and laying her head on his shoulder, for he had sat down, drawing her to his side and putting an arm about her waist.
"Ah, indeed! I had thought it was your father who was to teach you."
"And you didn't know how cross and tyrannical he was?" she laughed.
"So cross and tyrannical that he says now that it is time his eldest daughter was in her bed."
"Oh, please don't say I must go just yet, papa!" she begged. "There are so many of us here that I can hardly ever get a word with you in private, and it is so—so pleasant to get you all to myself for a few minutes."
"Well," he said, taking out his watch, "you may have five——"