her father she
was speaking, and the instant she had done so, she looked up at him with
eyes brimful of tears, expecting a stern rebuke, or, at the very least, a
look of great displeasure.

But he did not seem to have heard her, and only busied himself in trying
to make her more comfortable; and when she seemed to feel easier again,
he kissed her tenderly, saying softly: "My poor little one! papa knows
she suffers a great deal, and feels very sorry for her. Are you better
now, dearest?"

"Yes, papa, thank you," she answered, the tears coming into her eyes
again. "I don't know what makes me so cross; you are very good not to
scold me."

"I think my little girl is very patient," he said, caressing her again;
"and if she were not, I couldn't have the heart to _scold_ her after all
she has suffered. Shall I sing to you now?"

"Yes, papa; please sing 'I want to be like Jesus.' Oh, I _do_ want to be
like him! and then I should never even _feel_ impatient."

He did as she requested, singing in a low, soothing tone that soon lulled
her to sleep. He was an indefatigable nurse, never weary, never in the
least impatient, and nothing that skill and kindness could do for the
comfort and recovery of his little daughter was left undone. He carried
her in his arms from room to room; and then, as she grew stronger, down
into the garden. Then he sent for a garden chair, in which he drew her
about the gardens with his own hands; or if he called a servant to do it,
he walked by her side, doing all he could to amuse her, and when she was
ready to be carried indoors again, no one was allowed to touch her but
himself. At last she was able to take short and easy rides in the
carriage--not more than a quarter of a mile at first, for he was very
much afraid of trying her strength too far--but gradually they were
lengthened, as she seemed able to bear it.

One day he was unusually eager to get her into the carriage, and after
they had started, instead of calling her attention to the scenery, as he
often did, he began relating a story which interested her so much that
she did not notice in what direction they were travelling until the
carriage stopped, the foot-man threw open the door, and her father,
breaking off in the middle of a sentence, sprang out hastily, lifted her
in his arms, and carried her into the house.

She did not know where she was until he had laid her on a sofa, and,
giving her a rapturous kiss, exclaimed--

"Welcome h