He stole softly in and bent over the loved sleeper for a moment, his eyes devouring the sweet, fair face; he stooped lower, and his moustache brushed the round, rosy cheek.
"Papa," she murmured in her sleep; but a second kiss, upon her lips, awoke her.
Instantly her arm was round his neck. "O papa, I'm so glad you came! Please, may I get up and see you start?"
"No; lie still and take another nap, my pet. We'll be off before you could dress. There, good-by, darling. Don't expose yourself to the sun in the heat of the day, or to the evening air. Though I expect to be back in time to see to that last."
"I hope so, indeed, papa; but you know I will obey you just the same if you are not here to see."
"I don't doubt it in the least," he said.
Then the door closed on him, and the little girl, accustomed to implicit obedience, turned over and went to sleep again.
When Mildred came up a little before the usual breakfast hour, she found her dressed and reading her Bible.
"You love that book, Elsie dear?" she said.
"Yes, indeed, cousin. And I do love to have my papa read it with me. This is the first morning he has missed doing so since—since I was so very sick." The voice sounded as if tears were not far off.