“A capital one when she has gained experience.”
Lulu’s eyes sparkled.
“I mean to get that as fast as I can,” she said.
Both gentlemen laughingly asked, “How?”
“By nursing you, papa,” she answered. “I shall watch every thing the doctor and Christine do for you, so that very soon I’ll be able to do it for you myself.”
“Is she not a dear child?” her father said, passing his arm around her as she stood by his couch, and gazing in her face with eyes shining with love. “She gave up the week of holiday at Ion that she had been looking forward to for so long, in order that she might wait upon and comfort her father in his pain.”
“Ah, it is an old saying that love begets love,” the doctor remarked, smiling on her also, “and I think an affectionate parent is apt to have affectionate children.”
“I don’t deserve any praise for it,” Lulu said, though blushing with pleasure even as she spoke, “because I prefer to be here with papa.”
“But a selfish child, who thought only of pleasing herself, would not prefer it,” the doctor said, regarding her approvingly.
“I want to begin my work at once,” said Lulu. “What can I do for you now, papa?”