"Good-night, daughter," he replied, bestowing the caress. Then laying his hand gently on her head, he said softly, "God bless and keep my little one."
Rose, who was seated on the sofa beside him, drew Elsie to her, saying,
"I must have a kiss, too, darling."
"Now go, daughter," said Mr. Dinsmore, as Rose released her from her embrace, "go to bed as soon as you can, and don't lie awake talking."
"Mayn't I talk at all, after I go to bed, papa?"
"No, not at all."
Seeing that Elsie was really going, Sophy had put away her book, and was now ready to accompany her. She was quite a talker, and rattled on very fast until she saw Elsie take out her Bible; but then became perfectly quiet until Elsie was through with her devotions, and Chloe had come to prepare her for bed. Then she began chatting again in her lively way, Elsie answering very pleasantly until she was just ready to step into bed, when she said gently, "Sophy, papa said, before I came up, that I must not talk at all after I got into bed, so please don't be vexed if I don't answer you, because you know I must obey my father."
"Pshaw! how provoking. I thought we were going to have such a good time, and I've got ever so much to say to you."
"I'm just as sorry as you are, Sophy, but I can't disobey papa."
"He'd never know it," suggested Sophy in a voice scarcely above a whisper.
Elsie started with astonishment to hear Miss Rose's sister speaking thus.