"Books too!" Mildred exclaimed in increased astonishment and delight.
"Yes, he has marked out a course of reading for you—subject to your father's and my approval—and sent the necessary books and some others beside."
While his wife was speaking Mr. Keith had drawn near and put an arm about Mildred's waist; and now she fairly broke down, and hiding her face on her father's shoulder, sobbed aloud.
The children were immediately awed into silence. They gathered around her, asking in half-frightened tones, "Milly, Milly, what's the matter? are you sorry the piano's come? We thought you'd be so glad."
"And so I am," she said, lifting her head and smiling through her tears.
Her mother vacated the stool, her father seated her thereon, and hastily wiping away her tears, she sent her fingers flying over the keys in a lively merry tune that set the children to jumping and dancing more wildly than before.
[CHAPTER IX.]
"Labor in the path of duty,
Gleam'd up like a thing of beauty."
Cranch.