Presently pushing them aside, “Papa,” she asked, “shall I get my Latin grammar and learn that lesson now?”
“No; you are tired and will find it easier in the morning. Besides I want you now. Come here,” he said, taking possession of an easy-chair beside the bright wood fire that crackled on the hearth.
She obeyed with joyous alacrity.
“You are pleased with the phaeton and ponies?” he said inquiringly, as he drew her to his knee.
“Yes, indeed, papa! What does make you so very, very good to me?”
“Love,” he answered, holding her close. “My darling, there is nothing I enjoy more than giving you pleasure and adding to your happiness. Tell me if you have a single wish ungratified.”
“Only one that I can think of just now, papa,” she replied, looking up at him with an arch smile, then dropping her eyes and blushing as if more than half ashamed of the admission.
“And what is that?” he asked.
“I don’t like to tell you, papa,” she murmured, hanging her head still lower, while the blush deepened on her cheek.
“Ah, but you have roused my curiosity, and now I insist upon knowing,” he said, with a mixture of authority and playfulness.