"But the candy; you can eat some of that, can't you?"
"No, Cousin Zillah, I must never eat that unless papa gives it to me himself. Once in a long while he gives me a very little."
"Dear me! I begin to almost think Enna's right," Annis said laughingly.
"Oh, no, no!" cried Elsie, reddening and the tears starting to her eyes; "papa is very, very kind to me; he forbids only what he thinks injurious to my health."
"Certainly," said Zillah, "and it shows that he is a good father; and you are a good daughter to be so ready to stand up for him and so obedient."
She went out of the room, leaving the little girls alone for a short time.
"Annis, here is a note I want Wallace to have at once," she said, coming back. "Will you take it to the office for me?"
"Yes, if Elsie will go with me?"
"I will go and ask papa if I may," Elsie said, tying on her hat. "Ah, there he is now coming out of the gate with Aunt Marcia."
She ran to him and preferred her request, Annis following close behind.