"Yes, mammy, indeed, indeed you have," Elsie said, twining her arms lovingly around her. "But don't let us cry any more, for we know that dear mamma is very happy in heaven, and does not wish us to grieve for her now. I shall not show you the picture any more if it makes you cry like that," she added half playfully.
"Not always, chile," Chloe said, wiping away her tears, "but jes dis here mornin'—Christmas mornin', when she was always so bright and merry. It seems only yesterday she went dancin' about jes like you."
"Yes, mammy dear, but she is with the angels now—my sweet, pretty mamma!" Elsie whispered softly, with another tender, loving look at the picture ere she returned it to its accustomed resting-place in her bosom.
"And now I must go to papa," she said more cheerfully, "for it is almost breakfast time."
"Is my darling satisfied now?" he asked, as she ran into his arms and was folded in a close embrace.
"Yes, papa, indeed I am; thank you a thousand times; it is all I wanted."
"And you have given me the most acceptable present you could have found. It is a most excellent likeness, and I am delighted with it."
"I am so glad, papa, but it was Aunt Adelaide who thought of it."
"Ah! that was very kind of her. But how does my little girl feel this morning, after all her dissipation?"
"Oh! very well, thank you, papa."