Part 37 (1/2)
”Is there not one in my dressing-room?” he asked.
”Yes, papa, a very good one.”
”Then we will go there. I dare say the rest of the family are in no great hurry to see me, and I want my little girl to myself for half an hour,” he said, leading the way up-stairs as he spoke.
They found, as Elsie had reported, a very bright fire in the dressing-room. A large easy chair was drawn up near it, and a handsome dressing-gown and slippers were placed ready for use; all the work of Elsie's loving little hands.
He saw it all at a glance, and with a pleased smile, stooped and kissed her again, saying, ”My dear little daughter is very thoughtful for her papa's comfort.”
Then exchanging his warm out-door apparel and heavy boots for the dressing-gown and slippers, he seated himself in the chair and took her on his knee.
”Well, daughter,” he said, pa.s.sing his hand caressingly over her curls, ”papa has brought you a present; will you have it now, or shall it be kept for Christmas?”
”Keep it for Christmas, papa,” she answered gayly. ”Christmas is almost here, and besides, I don't want to look at anything but you to-night.”
”Very well, look at me as much as you like,” was his laughing rejoinder. ”And now tell me, have you been a good girl in my absence?”
”As good as I ever am, I believe, papa. I tried very hard; but you can ask Miss Day.”
”No, I am entirely satisfied with your report, for I know my little daughter is quite truthful.”
Elsie colored with pleasure, then calling to mind the time when he had for a moment suspected her of falsehood, she heaved a deep sigh, dropping her head upon his breast.
He seemed to understand her thoughts, for, pressing his lips to her forehead, he said gently and kindly, ”I think I shall never again doubt my little daughter's truth.”
She looked up with a grateful smile.
”Miss Day has gone away to stay until after New Year's day, papa,” she said, ”and so our holidays have begun.”
”Ah! I am very well satisfied,” said he. ”I think you have earned a holiday, and I hope you will enjoy it. But I don't know that I shall let _you_ play _all_ the time,” he added with a smile; ”I have some notion of giving you a lesson now and then, myself.”
”Dear papa, how pleasant!” she exclaimed delightedly; ”I do so love to say lessons to you.”
”Well, then, we will spend an hour together every morning. But are you not to have some company?”
”Oh! yes, papa, quite a house full,” she said with a slight sigh. ”The Percys, and the Howards, and all the Carringtons, and some others too, I believe.”
”Why do you sigh, daughter?” he asked; ”do you not expect to enjoy their company?”
”Yes, sir, I hope so,” she answered, rather dubiously; ”but when there are so many, and they stay so long, they are apt to disagree, and that, you know, is not pleasant. I am sure I shall enjoy the hour with you better than anything else; it is so sweet to be quite alone with my own darling papa,” and the little arm stole softly round his neck again, and the rosy lips touched his cheek.
”Well, when are the little plagues coming?” he asked, returning her caress.
”Some of them to-morrow, papa; no, Monday--to-morrow is Sabbath day.”
”Shall I bring in de trunks now, ma.s.sa?” asked Mr. Dinsmore's servant, putting his head in at the door.
”Yes, John, certainly.”
”Why, you brought back a new one, papa, didn't you?” asked Elsie, as John carried in one she was sure she had never seen before, and in obedience to a motion of her father's hand, set it down quite near them.