the room in search of a book which he thought would
throw some light on the subject; and then her father turned to her and
asked, "How has my little girl enjoyed herself to-day?"

"Very much, thank you, papa; but I have something to ask you, and I want
you to say yes. Please, papa, _do!_ won't you?" she pleaded eagerly, but
in a low tone only meant for his ears.

"You know I love to gratify you, daughter," he said kindly, "but I cannot
possibly say yes until I know what you want."

"Well, papa," she replied, speaking very fast, as if she feared he would
interrupt her, "a good many little girls and boys are going after
strawberries to-morrow: they are to start from the school-house, at
nine o'clock in the morning, and walk two miles to a field where the
berries are very thick; and they've asked us to go--I mean Harold and
Sophy and me--and we all want to go _so much_; we think it will be
such fun, and Mrs. Allison says we may if you will only say yes. Oh,
papa, _do please_ let me go, _won't_ you?"

Her tone was very coaxing, and her eyes pleaded as earnestly as her
tongue.

He seemed to be considering for a moment, and she watched his face
eagerly, trying to read in it what his answer would be.

At length it came, gently, but firmly spoken, "No, daughter, you cannot
go. I do not at all approve of the plan."

Elsie did not utter another word, of remonstrance or entreaty, for she
knew it would be useless; but the disappointment was very great, and two
or three tears rolled quickly down her cheeks.

Her father looked at her a moment in some surprise, and then said,
speaking in a low tone, and very gravely, "This will never do, my
daughter. Go up to my room and stay there until you can be quite
cheerful and pleasant; then you may come down again."

Elsie hurried out of the room, the tears coming thick and fast now, and
almost ran against Edward in the hall.

"Why, what is the matter, my dear?" he asked in a tone of surprise and
alarm, laying his hand on her shoulder to detain her.

"Please don't ask me, Mr. Edward. Please let me go," she sobbed, breaking
away from him and rushing up the stairs.

He stood for an instant looking after her, then turning to go back to the
parlor, encountered Rose, who was just coming out.

"What ails her?" he asked.

"I don't know. Something that passed between her and her father. I rather
suspect he sent her upstairs as a punishment."

"Pshaw! I've no patience with him. The de