The child did not rouse to consciousness, but was still fast asleep as he laid her gently down upon her pillow.
He covered her up with tender care, then seating himself again, drew Lulu into his arms with a fond caress.
“Dear child,” he said, “your unselfish love for your sister makes me very happy.”
There was a flash of joy in Lulu’s eyes as she lifted them to his, then blushing and half hiding her face on his shoulder, “But I don’t deserve to have you say that, papa,” she murmured; “for I didn’t want to come up with you and Gracie.”
“No, but if you had had no desire to stay behind there would have been no self-denial in your yielding to her wish. You deserve all the credit I am giving you. Now do you want to go back again?”
“If you like me to, papa, Gracie is so sound asleep that she will not miss me.”
“Yes; and if you are not too tired with all the shopping you have done to-day, you may stay up half an hour later than your usual bedtime,” he said, taking her hand and leading her from the room.
“Oh, thank you, papa!” she cried, “I don’t think that I’m too tired, and I should like to so very much!”
“You are very greatly interested in what is going forward?” he remarked, inquiringly, and smiling down on her as they descended the stairs, her hand in his.
“Yes, indeed, papa! Oh, may I read the book that tells about the magic cave?”