“It is a great pleasure to me to speak words of commendation to you,” he responded; “as great a pain to have to reprove and punish you. So, dear child, if you love your father, try to be good.”
“Don’t you know that I love you, papa?” she asked, smiling into his eyes.
“Yes,” he said, holding her close, “I haven’t the least doubt of it. Now, good-night. Get to bed and to sleep as soon as you can.”
“There, now; I know papa wouldn’t think Rosie a bit better child than I am if he knew all I do about her,” Lulu said to herself, with great satisfaction, as he went from the room and the door closed upon him.
Rosie seemed strangely quiet and depressed the next morning, and to avoid meeting the glance of her mates.
“I guess she’s ashamed of herself,” remarked Sydney, in an aside to Lora, “and she ought to be.”
“Of course she ought,” said Lora. “Who would ever have believed that a child of Cousin Elsie’s would cheat at play? I think Rosie has always had a very good opinion of herself, and perhaps it will do her good to find out that she’s no better than other folks, after all. She’s been hard on Lu Raymond, about her temper, you know; but I must say I like Lu best, though she is no kin to me.”
She involuntarily glanced toward Rosie, standing by a window on the farther side of the room, as she spoke, and their eyes met.
Rosie’s instantly sought the floor, while her cheeks flushed crimson.
It was shortly after breakfast and family worship, and they were in the parlor where the trouble began the night before; just the girls themselves and no one else; and Rosie perceived that there could be no better time than the present for her acknowledgment.