“My dear little girl,” he said, stroking her hair, “that did not lessen my good opinion of you; on the contrary, your sorrow for what seemed to me but a slight misdemeanor, and your frank confession of it, raised you in my esteem, if that were possible; for I have long thought you very nearly perfect.”
She shook her head, the blush deepening on her cheek. “Ah, sir, you make me feel like a hypocrite! And Annis has been talking so too, and I—”
She hesitated, a troubled, anxious look on her sweet, innocent face.
“What is it, dear child?” he asked, “anything I can help you with?”
“I was wondering if—if I ought to tell Annis about my—my naughtiness that day.”
“I am quite sure you are under no obligation to do so,” he said, “and perhaps it would be better not to tell her.”
Elsie looked relieved.
“Ah,” he exclaimed, drawing something from his pocket, “I am forgetting the particular errand on which I came. Here is a book that you will enjoy, I think; and with your father’s approval; for I submitted it to him before bringing it to you.”
Elsie accepted the gift with warm thanks and looks of delight which well repaid him for his thoughtful kindness.
Annis came back presently, and after a little chat with her, Mr. Travilla left them to enjoy the book together.