I work an hour every morning pulling up
the weeds and watering the flowers."

"Oh? won't you let me help you while I am here?" asked Elsie, eagerly.

"Why, yes, if you like, and your papa won't mind I think it would be real
fun. But he's very strict, isn't he, Elsie? I feel quite afraid of him."

"Yes, he is strict, but he is very kind, too."

"Let's go in now," said Sophy; "I've got a beautiful picture-book that
I want to show you; and to-morrow's Sunday, you know, so if you don't see
it to-night, you'll have to wait till Monday, because it isn't a Sunday
book."

"What time is it?" asked Elsie. "I always have to go to bed at half-past
eight."

"I don't know," said Sophy, "but we'll look at the clock in the
dining-room," and she ran in, closely followed by her little guest.

"Just eight! we've only got half an hour; so come along. But won't your
papa let you stay up longer?"

"No," Elsie answered in a very decided tone; and they hurried to the
parlor, where they seated themselves in a corner, and were soon eagerly
discussing the pictures in Sophy's book.

They had just finished, and Sophy was beginning a very animated
description of a child's party she had attended a short time before,
when Elsie, who had been anxiously watching her father for the last
five minutes, saw him take out his watch and look at her.

"There, Sophy," she said, rising, "I know papa means it is time for me
to go to bed."

"Oh, just wait one minute!"

But Elsie was already half way across the room.

"It is your bedtime, daughter," said Mr. Dinsmore, smiling affectionately
on her.

"Yes, papa; good-night," and she held up her face for the accustomed
kiss.

"Good-night, daughter," he replied, bestowing the caress. Then laying his
hand gently on her head, he said softly, "God bless and keep my little
one."

Rose, who was seated on the sofa beside him, drew Elsie to her, saying,
"I must have a kiss, too, darling."

"Now go, daughter," said Mr. Dinsmore, as Rose released her from her
embrace, "go to bed as soon as you can, and don't lie awake talking."

"Mayn't I talk at all, after I go to bed, papa?"

"No, not at all."

Seeing that Elsie was really going, Sophy had put away her book, and was
now ready to accompany her. She was quite a talker, and rattled on very
fast until she saw Elsie take out her Bible; but then became perfectly
quiet until Elsie was through with her devotions, and Chloe had come to
prepare her for bed.