“No, sir; she will be valued very highly as papa’s gift, but she can never be so dear as Rose.”
“Rose? which is she?”
“My very largest dollie, the first that papa ever gave me. She’s been with me through so many happy times, and sad times, that I love her better than I can ever love another.”
“Ah!” he said with sudden gravity, for her words carried him back to a time that had been very sad indeed to her and all who loved her.
“Mr. Travilla, may I name this one Violet, for your mother?” she asked.
“Certainly, my dear; my mother will feel complimented no doubt,” he said with a twinkle of fun in his eye. “You must have quite a family, I suppose. Would you like to show them all to me?”
“Ah yes, indeed, sir! if you care to see them. There are more than a dozen, big and little, altogether.”
“It is about time you were having your hat and coat taken off, daughter,” her father said, coming up to them at that moment.
“Yes, papa, I’m going now, and Mr. Travilla’s going with me to see my baby-house and all my family.”
“Ah, won’t you invite me too?”