It was a sore trial to the three hearts in the house that loved her so dearly; but all they could do was to soothe her with caresses and assurances of their love, and of the love of Jesus, and that if she bore her trials with meekness and patience, returning good for evil to those who used her so ill, it would be pleasing to Him.
Mildred would talk to her of her papa, too, and the happy times she would have when he came home;—how he would love and pet and fondle her.
"For surely," she reasoned with herself, "he cannot possibly do otherwise when he sees how sweet and lovely she is."
The prospect seemed to give the little one intense pleasure, and she would often ask to be told "'bout de time when Elsie's dear papa will come."
She would watch her grandfather, too, as he petted and fondled his little ones, with a wistful longing in the sweet brown eyes that brought tears to those of Mildred, and made her heart ache.
