often
wished he would, when he wouldn't, this time I wish he wouldn't when he
will"; she ended with a hearty laugh.

"And I suppose your conclusion is that fathers are sometimes very
doubtful blessings," the captain said, assuming a grave and troubled
air.

She gave him a startled look. "Oh, papa! surely you are not in earnest?
surely you know that I was not?" she exclaimed beseechingly.

He smiled and held out his hand. She sprang to his side and he drew her
to a seat upon his knee.

"Yes, daughter, dear, I do," he said, caressing her hair and cheek with
his hand, "and I, too, was but jesting; I am troubled with no doubts of
the sincere, ardent affection of my eldest daughter."

"Yes," said Violet with a smile, "I think she very nearly makes an idol
of her father--which is not surprising considering what a dear, good
father he is. Well, I have read the note, Lu, and I think, if I were
you, I would accept the invitation. Don't you think, my dear, that we
might do the shopping to-morrow?"

"Certainly, if it suits you, my love," he replied. "I do not know why
to-morrow would not suit for that business as well as the next day."

"And that leaves you free to accept Chester's invitation, Lu."

"Yes, and I begin to feel as if I might enjoy it right well if----"

"If what, daughter?" her father asked, as she paused, leaving her
sentence unfinished.

"If I were perfectly sure you would not rather I did not go, papa."

"I think I can trust you to behave well, even out of my sight," he
returned with a smile, and in a jesting tone; "and though I still call
you my little girl, that is more as a term of endearment than anything
else; and I really think you are large enough, old enough, and good
enough to be trusted, occasionally, out of my sight--away from my side."

"Thank you, papa dear," she said, her eyes shining; "it is a great
pleasure to hear you say that, and I certainly do intend to conduct
myself exactly as I think you would wish; so now I will answer
Chester's note with an acceptance of his invitation," she added, leaving
her father's knee and seating herself before the typewriter. "I'll make
it short and submit it to you, papa, for approval."

"About that, too, you may do exactly as you please," he responded,
stepping to her side and putting the paper in for her, as when she was
about to write for him.

She made quick work, saying only what seemed necessary, submitted it to
her father's and Violet's verd