“Oh, oh, how nice!” cried Elsie. “Papa, must I say lessons the first day they’re with us?”
“There will not be another holiday for you until that troublesome Latin lesson has been properly disposed of,” he answered gravely.
“If it isn’t ready for you to-morrow, papa, it sha’n’t be for want of trying,” Elsie said resolutely, though it cost an effort to refrain from again complaining that it was too long and hard for her to master.
But she felt rewarded by the affectionate, approving smile her father bestowed upon her. And she said to herself, “What a very naughty, ungrateful girl I should be not to try my very best when papa has been so good and kind to me to-day! Yes, and is every day. I don’t believe any other little girl ever had such a dear good father.”
And with the thought she lifted her face to his with such a sweet, loving look, as she sat opposite him in the carriage, that he could not refrain from taking her in his arms and bestowing upon her another and another tender caress.
Rose watched them with a beaming countenance. It was a perpetual feast to her to behold their mutual affection.
As they drew near home they were overtaken by a gentleman on horseback. Mr. Dinsmore saluted him with great cordiality.
“Ah, Travilla, how are you to-day? All well at Ion?”
“Quite well, thank you, Dinsmore,” returned the cavalier, lifting his hat with a low bow first to Mrs. Dinsmore and then to Elsie. “Just from the city?”
“Yes; and glad we are reaching home in time to receive your call.”