At length it came, gently, but firmly spoken, "No, daughter, you cannot go. I do not at all approve of the plan."
Elsie did not utter another word, of remonstrance or entreaty, for she knew it would be useless; but the disappointment was very great, and two or three tears rolled quickly down her cheeks.
Her father looked at her a moment in some surprise, and then said, speaking in a low tone, and very gravely, "This will never do, my daughter. Go up to my room and stay there until you can be quite cheerful and pleasant; then you may come down again."
Elsie hurried out of the room, the tears coming thick and fast now, and almost ran against Edward in the hall.
"Why, what is the matter, my dear?" he asked in a tone of surprise and alarm, laying his hand on her shoulder to detain her.
"Please don't ask me, Mr. Edward. Please let me go," she sobbed, breaking away from him and rushing up the stairs.
He stood for an instant looking after her, then turning to go back to the parlor, encountered Rose, who was just coming out.
"What ails her?" he asked.
"I don't know. Something that passed between her and her father. I rather suspect he sent her upstairs as a punishment."
"Pshaw! I've no patience with him. The dear little thing! I don't believe she deserved it."