“I don’t say you must; I only say I shall be far better pleased with you if you do: and that it will be the right and kind thing for you to do. But perhaps you do not care to please me?” he added, noticing the unwilling expression of her countenance.
“Yes, papa, I do! I’d do any thing to please you,” she cried, smiling up into his face, then putting her arm round his neck and laying her cheek lovingly to his.
“Thank you, dear child,” he said, holding her close to his heart. “And now you may choose which of your little friends you will have to share these rooms with you and Eva.”
“Lora Howard,” she said. “I’m better acquainted with her than with any of the others, except Rosie.”
“Rosie will share her mother’s room,” said the captain. “An excellent plan, I think.”
“And Rosie Lacy is to sleep with me,” remarked Grace; “mamma told me so; and I’m glad, for I like Rosie ever so much. Lu, may be you’ll find it’s good fun for so many of us to be so close together.”
“I dare say she will,” said their father; “and she may invite Evelyn almost any time to come and stay for days or weeks and share her bed.”
“Papa,” cried Lulu, delightedly, “you are just the very kindest of fathers.”
“I am well pleased that you think so,” he said contentedly, repeating his caresses; “while for my part, I verily believe no dearer or more lovable children than mine are anywhere to be found.”
Grace had come to his side, and he passed an arm round her as he spoke, bestowing upon her caresses as loving and tender as those Lulu had just received.