She ran to the door, "Papa, papa! I'm so glad, so glad you've come! I was so afraid something had happened to you."
"Ah, I knew my little girl would be anxious," he said, bending down to give her a tender caress. "Well, there was nothing wrong, except that we went a little farther than we intended; and here we are safe and sound."
"And both tired and hungry, I dare say," said Mrs. Keith.
"The first, but not the last," returned her husband. "We took our supper an hour ago, at Ward's."
Mr. Dinsmore sat down and drew Elsie to his side. "Ah, is it so late?" he said, glancing at the clock. "Just your bed-time, daughter."
"Yes, papa, but—" and with her arm about his neck, her lips to his ear, she whispered the rest—"I want so much to tell you something. Mayn't I?"
"Yes; go up now and let Aunt Chloe make you ready for bed; then put on your dressing-gown and slippers and come to my room. I shall be there by that time, and we'll have our little talk. I should hardly like to go to bed without it myself."
Elsie obeyed, and he presently excusing himself, on the plea of fatigue, for so early a retirement, went to his room, where she found him waiting for her as he had promised.
"Well, my pet, have you anything particular for papa's ear to-night?" he asked, lifting her to his knee.