One day he was unusually eager to get her into the carriage, and after they had started, instead of calling her attention to the scenery, as he often did, he began relating a story which interested her so much that she did not notice in what direction they were travelling until the carriage stopped, the foot-man threw open the door, and her father, breaking off in the middle of a sentence, sprang out hastily, lifted her in his arms, and carried her into the house.

She did not know where she was until he had laid her on a sofa, and, giving her a rapturous kiss, exclaimed—­

“Welcome home, my darling! welcome to your father’s house.”

Then she looked up and saw that she was indeed in the dear home he had prepared for her months before.

She was too glad to speak a word, or do anything but gaze about her with eyes brimming over with delight; while her father took off her bonnet and shawl, and setting her on her feet, led her across the room to an easy-chair, where he seated her in state.

He then threw open a door, and there was another pleasant surprise; for who but her old friend, Mrs. Murray, should rush in and take her in her arms, kissing her and crying over her.

“Dear, dear bairn,” she exclaimed, “you are looking pale and ill, but it does my auld heart gude to see your winsome wee face once more.  I hope it will soon grow as round and rosy as ever, now that you’ve won to your ain home at last.  But where, darling, are all your bonny curls?” she asked suddenly.

“In the drawer, in my room at grandpa’s,” replied the little girl with a faint smile.  “They had to be cut off when I was so sick.  You were not vexed, papa?” she asked, raising her eyes timidly to his face.

“No, darling, not vexed certainly, though very sorry indeed that it was necessary,” he said in a kind, gentle tone, passing his hand caressingly over her head.

“Ah, well,” remarked Mrs. Murray cheerfully, “we winna fret about it; it will soon grow again, and these little, soft rings of hair are very pretty, too.”

“I thought you were in Scotland, Mrs. Murray; when did you come back?” asked the little girl.

“I came to this place only yesterday, darling; but it is about a week since I landed in America.”

“I am so glad to see you, dear Mrs. Murray,” Elsie said, holding fast to her hand, and looking lovingly into her face.  “I haven’t forgotten any of the good things you taught me.”  Then turning to her father, she said, very earnestly, “Papa, you won’t need now to have me grow up for a long while, because Mrs. Murray is such an excellent housekeeper.”

He smiled and patted her cheek, saying pleasantly, “No, dear, I shall keep you a little girl as long as ever I can; and give Mrs. Murray plenty of time to make a good housekeeper of you.”

“At what hour will you have dinner, sir?” asked the old lady, turning to leave the room.