Jamie sucked his pipe hard and, after thinking a while, answered: "Pretty good."
"And, Daddy dear, did they take off that car that had a flat wheel?"
This was a question that required considerable deliberation. Rosie waited, and at last had her reward.
"Sure they did."
"Oh, Daddy!" Rosie hugged him suddenly, and kissed his thin, leathery cheek. "I just love you so much! I wouldn't change you for any other father in the world!"
After getting the full purport of this declaration, Jamie remarked: "That's good!"
Rosie slipped impulsively from the arm of the chair into Jamie's lap. It was not a comfortable arrangement for Jamie, but he was a patient soul, and made no outcry.
Rosie snuggled up to him affectionately. "Say, Daddy," she whispered, "if I was awful bad, what would you do to me? Wouldn't you just beat me?"
Jamie relit his pipe, took one puff, examined the sky line, then shook his head knowingly: "I would that! But, Rosie dear, you mustn't be bad, you know."
Rosie took a long, shivery breath. "Oh, Daddy, please don't beat me! I'll be good, honest I will!"