“If there’s time, papa.”
“There will be; your young friends are not expected much before the dinner hour; so if the weather is pleasant, you and Gracie shall have a little drive with me shortly after breakfast, and we will call at the Jones’ house and leave the dress.”
Both little girls exclaimed, “How nice, papa!” and Lulu added, “I shall enjoy giving it to her myself. And I’ll have time to go; for I got up quite early and have pretty nearly put my rooms in order already.”
“I like to see you industrious, daughter,” her father said, kindly, “but I do not want you to overdo the thing by being up too long, and taking too much exercise before eating; because that might injure your health.”
“Yes, sir; but I had a glass of milk when Gracie had hers; and now I’m just nicely hungry for my breakfast.”
“Well, I am glad to hear it,” he said, “for the bell will probably ring in about five minutes.”
Gracie had laid her book aside and taken possession of his knee.
“I’d like to get up early and work, too, if I could,” she said, laying her head on his shoulder.
“Yes, I know you would, my pet,” he responded, passing his hand caressingly over her soft curls, “but you are not strong enough yet.”
“But she’s useful, papa,” remarked Lulu, “she has been helping me to learn my text while I sewed, by reading it over and over to me, and we’ve learned hers, too, in the same way.”