"Will you let me have my book again, father?"
A kiss was her only answer. Ellen waited.
"Go to the bookcases," said Mr. Lindsay, presently, "or to the book-store, and choose out anything you like, Ellen, instead."
"I wouldn't exchange it for all that is in them!" she answered with some warmth, and with the husky feeling coming in her throat. Mr. Lindsay said nothing.
"At any rate," whispered Ellen, after a minute, "you will not destroy it, or do anything to it? you will take care of it, and let me have it again, won't you, Sir?"
"I will try to take care of you, my daughter."
Again Ellen paused, and then came round in front of him to plead to more purpose.
"I will do anything in the world for you, Sir," she said, earnestly, "if you will give me my book again."
"You must do anything in the world for me," said he, smiling, and pinching her cheek, "without that."
"But it is mine!" Ellen ventured to urge, though trembling.