"Ah! that will be very pleasant for you," he said, "but you must be a good girl, and not give any unnecessary trouble."
"I will try, papa. There, Sophy is calling me; may I go to her?"
"Certainly;" and he released her hand, which he had been holding in his.
"I want to show you my garden," said Sophy, whom Elsie found in the hall; and she led the way out through a back door which opened into a garden now gay with spring flowers and early roses.
Sophy pointed out the corner which was her especial property, and exhibited her plants and flowers with a great deal of honest pride.
"I planted every one of them myself," she said. "Harold dug up the ground for me, and I did all the rest, I work an hour every morning pulling up the weeds and watering the flowers."
"Oh? won't you let me help you while I am here?" asked Elsie, eagerly.
"Why, yes, if you like, and your papa won't mind I think it would be real fun. But he's very strict, isn't he, Elsie? I feel quite afraid of him."
"Yes, he is strict, but he is very kind, too."
"Let's go in now," said Sophy; "I've got a beautiful picture-book that I want to show you; and to-morrow's Sunday, you know, so if you don't see it to-night, you'll have to wait till Monday, because it isn't a Sunday book."