“Good-morning, papa,” she said, “I know every word of my lesson now. I rose half an hour earlier than usual and studied hard all that time and while mammy was dressing me and curling my hair.”
“That is like my own dear little girl,” he responded with a pleased look and taking her on his knee to kiss and fondle her. He kept her there while he heard the lesson.
“Very well done, indeed!” he said, when she had finished. “Now you see what you are capable of when you resolutely set your mind to your task. Your phaeton is at the door; would you like to take a drive about the grounds before breakfast?”
“Yes, indeed, dear papa! I shall enjoy it ever so much now that that hard, disagreeable lesson is out of the way.”
“We shall have a full half hour for it,” he remarked, consulting his watch. “Run to Aunt Chloe and have yourself well wrapped up; for the air is keen and frosty.”
He did not need to bid twice, nor did she keep him waiting, but was at his side again in hood and cloak by the time he had donned his overcoat and gloves.
He rode with her, but let her do all the driving. He brought her back in good time for breakfast, and she came to the table gay as a lark, eyes shining, and a lovely color in her cheeks.
“O mamma,” she said, “we have had such a nice drive in the new phaeton—papa and I—and he says I may drive Annis about the grounds when—”
“If Annis is willing to trust herself to your driving,” put in her father laughingly.
Elsie’s countenance fell slightly. “I hope she will be; the ponies seem very gentle and tractable,” she went on. “You know you said so yourself, papa.”