And she went on opening bundle after bundle, displaying their contents, and telling him for whom she intended them, until at last they had all been examined, and then she said, a little wearily, "Now, mammy, please put them all away until to-morrow. But first take off my things and get me ready to go downstairs."
"No, daughter," Mr. Dinsmore said in a gentle but firm tone; "you are not ready to have them put away until the price of each has been set down in your book."
"Oh! papa," she pleaded, "won't to-morrow do? I'm tired now, and isn't it almost tea-time?"
"No; never put off till to-morrow what may as well be done to-day. There is nearly an hour yet before tea, and I do not think it need fatigue you much."
Elsie's face clouded, and the slightest approach to a pout might have been perceived.
"I hope my little girl is not going to be naughty," he said, very gravely.
Her face brightened in an instant. "No, papa," she answered cheerfully,
"I will be good, and do whatever you bid me."
"That is my own darling," said he, "and I will help you, and it will not take long."
He opened her writing-desk as he spoke, and took out her account-book.
"Oh! papa," she cried in a startled tone, springing forward and taking hold of his hand, "please, please don't look! you know you said I need not show you until after Christmas."