“I hope I have not kept you waiting long, papa,” she said, taking her accustomed seat upon his knee.
“No, daughter, you have been very prompt,” he replied, tenderly enfolding her with his arm. “Your ride has not wearied you?”
“Oh, no, sir. I am not tired at all.”
They read a few verses, talked together of the truth taught in them, then knelt while Mr. Dinsmore offered a short prayer. After that she resumed her seat upon his knee until the call to breakfast.
“You have not forgotten that lessons are to be begun again to-day?” he said interrogatively, taking the small white hands in his and softly patting and stroking them as he spoke.
“No, sir, and I intend to try to be very industrious, to make up for lost time.”
“That is right, and I don’t expect to hear a word of grumbling over the Latin lesson.”
“Papa,” she exclaimed energetically, “if you do I ought to be punished!”
“In what way?” he asked with unmoved gravity, though there was a twinkle of amusement in his eye.
“Ah, that of course would be for you to decide, papa,” she said, giving him a hug and kiss.