That story finished, it was, "Now, mamma, please tell another; please tell about the time when you wanted to go with the school children to pick strawberries, and grandpa said 'No.'"
"Ah, I was rather a naughty little girl that time, and cried because I couldn't have my own way," answered the mother musingly, with a dreamy look in her eyes and a tender smile playing about her lips as she almost seemed to hear again the loved tones of her father's voice, and to feel the clasp of his arm as he drew her to his knee and laid her head against his breast, asking, "Which was my little daughter doubting, this afternoon—papa's wisdom, or his love?"
But her own little Elsie's arm had stolen about her neck, the cherry lips were pressed again and again to her cheek, and the sweet child voice repelled the charge with indignation.
"Mamma, you couldn't help the tears coming when you were so disappointed; and that was all. You didn't say one naughty word. And grandpa says you were the best little girl he ever saw."
"And papa says just the same," added a pleasant, manly voice from the door, as Mr. Travilla came in, closing it after him.
Then the three young voices joined in a glad chorus, "Papa! papa! good-morning, dear papa."
"Good-morning, papa's dear pets," he said, putting his arms round all three at once, as they clustered about him, and returning with interest their affectionate caresses.
"And so you have already been teasing poor mamma for stories?"
"Did we tease and trouble you, mamma?" asked Elsie, a little remorsefully, going back to her mother's side.
"No, darling; it always gives me pleasure to gratify my dear children. And, papa, they have been very good."