As the door closed on them, Violet dropped on her knees by her mother's chair and laid her head in her lap, hiding her face.
"My dear child! my dear, precious little daughter!" Elsie said, softly smoothing the golden tresses.
"Mamma, you know?"
"Yes, dearest."
"O mamma, I can't leave you! how could I?"
"Dear child! it would be a sore trial to have to part with you; and I cannot be sorry that you are not ready or willing to go. You are one of the very great blessings and comforts of your mother's life!"
"Dearest mother, thank you! They are very sweet words to hear from your lips," Violet said, lifting her face to look up into her mother's with a beautiful smile.
"And so you have said your suitor nay?" Elsie asked, with playful look and tone.
"I hardly know what I said, mamma, except that I was too young and foolish and couldn't leave you!"
"You do not care for him at all?"