" she said, after a few moments' silence, "I want to tell you
something."

"Well, daughter, I am ready to listen," he answered pleasantly; "what is
it?"

"I was looking in my desk to-day, papa, for a letter that I wrote to you
the evening before I was taken sick, and I couldn't find it. Did Aunt
Adelaide give it to you?"

"Yes, dear, I have it, and one of your curls," he said, pressing her
closer to him.

"Yes, papa, _that_ was what I wanted to tell you about. I am afraid I was
very naughty to cut it off after all you said about it last Christmas;
but everything was so strange that night--it seems like a dreadful dream
to me now. I don't think I was quite in my right mind sometimes, and I
thought I was going to die, and something seemed to tell me that you
would want some of my hair when I was gone, and that nobody would save
it for you; and so I cut it off myself. You do not mind about it, papa,
dear, do you? You don't think it was _very_ naughty in me?" she asked
anxiously.

"No, darling, no; it was very right and kind, and much more than I
deserved," he answered with emotion.

"I am glad you are not angry, papa," she said in a relieved tone, "and,
indeed, I did not mean to be naughty or disobedient."

John was just bringing in the lights, and Mr. Dinsmore took a note from
his pocket, saying, "I will read this to you, daughter, as it concerns
you as well as myself."

It was an invitation from Mrs. Howard--the mother of Elsie's friend,
Caroline--to Mr. Dinsmore and his little girl, to come and spend the
Christmas holidays with them.

"Well, my pet, what do you say to it? would you like to go?" he asked, as
he refolded the note and returned it to his pocket.

"I don't know, papa; it seems as if it would be pleasant, as we are both
invited; but home is so sweet, and I am so happy just alone with you that
I hardly want to go away; so if you please, papa, I would much rather
just leave it all to you."

"Well, then, we will stay quietly at home," he said, with a gratified
look; "and I think it will be much the better plan, for you are not
strong enough yet for gayety, and it would be very little pleasure for
you to be there while unable to join in the sports, and obliged always
to keep early hours.

"But we might have a Christmas dinner at home, and invite a few friends
to help us eat it. Whom would you like to have?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Travilla, and Aunt Adelaide, and Lora, if you please, papa,
and anybody el