"For what?" he asked jestingly, laying a hand upon her head and smiling down into the happy, eager face.
"Giving me permission to go with you and the rest to New Orleans."
"Ah, did I do that?" he asked, sitting down and drawing her to a seat upon his knee.
"Not in words, papa, but you looked it," she returned with a pleased laugh, putting her arm about his neck and kissing him with ardent affection. "Didn't you, now?"
"I don't deny that I did, yet it depends largely upon the good conduct of my eldest daughter," he said in a graver tone, smoothing her hair caressingly as he spoke. "I hope she will show herself so sweet tempered and obedient that it may not be necessary to leave her behind because she is lacking in those good qualities."
"Papa," she replied low and feelingly, "I will ask God to help me to be patient and good."
"And if you ask for Jesus' sake, pleading his gracious promise, 'If ye ask anything in my name, I will do it,' your petition will be granted."
At that moment the other girls came running in, Rose saying eagerly, "Oh, Brother Levis, we all hope you will be so kind as to go on with your historical stories of doings and happenings at New Orleans. Please treat us to some of them to-night, and let us have all before we visit their scenes, won't you?"
"Certainly, Sister Rose," he replied, adding, "It looks very pleasant on the veranda now. Shall we establish ourselves there?"
"Yes, sir, if you please," she said, dancing away, the others following.