_--he's so pleasant,
and so funny, too, sometimes. But I must go and show my bracelet to Lucy.
Hark! no, there's the bell, and I'll just leave it here until after
breakfast."

Elsie opened a drawer and laid it carefully in, and they ran off to the
nursery.

"Elsie," said her father, when they had finished the morning lessons,
"there is to be a children's party to-night, at Mr. Carleton's, and I
have an invitation for you. Would you like to go?"

"Do you wish me to go, papa?" she asked.

"Not unless _you_ wish to do so, daughter," he said kindly. "I cannot go
with you, as there are to be none but little people, and I never feel
altogether comfortable in seeing my darling go from home without me; and
you will, no doubt, be very late in returning and getting to bed, and I
fear will feel badly to-morrow in consequence; but this once, at least,
you shall just please yourself. All your little guests are going, and it
would be dull and lonesome for you at home, I am afraid."

Elsie thought a moment.

"Dear papa, you are very kind," she said, "but if you please, I would
much rather have you decide for me, because I am only a silly little
girl, and you are so much older and wiser."

He smiled, and stroked her hair softly, but said nothing.

"Are you going to stay at home, papa?" she asked presently.

"Yes, daughter, I expect to spend the evening either in this room or the
library, as I have letters to write."

"Oh, then, papa, please let me stay with you! I would like it _much_
better than going to the party; will you, papa? please say yes."

"But you know I cannot talk to you, or let you talk; so that it will be
very dull," he said, pushing back the curls from the fair forehead, and
smiling down into the eager little face.

"Oh! but if you will only let me sit beside you and read one of my new
books, I shall be quite contented, and sit as quiet as a little mouse,
and not say one word without leave. Mayn't I, papa?"

"I said you should do as you pleased, darling, and I always love to have
my pet near me."

"Oh, then I shall stay!" she cried, clapping her hands.

Then, with a happy little sigh, "It will be so nice," she said, "to have
one of our quiet evenings again." And she knew, by her father's gratified
look, that she had decided as he would have had her.

A servant put his head in at the door.

"Massa Horace, dere's a gen'leman in de library axin for to see you."

"Very well, Jim, tell him I will be the