“Ah, my darling! a merry Christmas and happy New Year to you!” he responded, coming quickly to her side. “You are looking very bright,” he added joyously, bending down to kiss forehead, lips, cheeks, and eyes. “Do you feel no ill effects from your fall?”
“No, sir. May I get up now, and come to you in the study when I am dressed?”
“Yes; if you feel quite able. Aunt Chloe,” as the old nurse came in, “bring Miss Elsie a glass of good, rich iced milk and let her drink it before she rises.”
“Yes, sah, I’se do dat berry ting,” returned Aunt Chloe. “How is you, honey? well ’nuff to get out ob bed dis Christmas mornin’?”
“Yes, mammy; but why don’t you catch me? aren’t you afraid you’ll miss your Christmas gift?”
“Yah, yah, chile! not a bit! ’spect you’s got it all ready an’ couldn’t keep it from your ole mammy ef you tried. Now I’se off after dat milk. But fust I hopes, darlin’, you’ll hab de merriest of Christmases and de happiest New Year de good Lord eber give you.”
“Thank you, dear old mammy; and may you have the same,” Elsie responded, looking affectionately after her nurse as she hurried from the room.
Her father stayed with her till he had seen her drain the glass of sweet rich milk which Aunt Chloe brought, then left her to be dressed.
Going through the hall on the way to his study, he passed the scene of last night’s accident. The statue had been replaced in its niche by the servants, but it was a wreck, the nose crushed, an arm and a foot broken.
He had valued it in the past, but his only emotion as he glanced at it now was one of heartfelt thankfulness that it had fallen beside rather than upon his child.