“And you were very glad to find that papa was not here to make you sup upon bread and water, eh?”

“No, papa, I didn’t eat anything else,” she said in a hurt tone; “I wouldn’t take such a mean advantage of your absence.”

“No, dearest, I know you would not.  I know my little girl is the soul of honor,” he said, soothingly, pressing another kiss on her cheek; “and besides, I have just heard the whole story from Miss Rose and her mother.”

“And you wouldn’t have let me have anything but bread, papa, would you?” she asked, raising her head to look up in his face.

“No, dear, nothing else, for you know I must keep my word, however trying it may be to my feelings.”

“Yes, papa; and I am so glad you do, because then I always know just what to expect.  You are not angry with me now, papa?”

“No, darling, not in the very least; you are entirely forgiven.  And now I want you to go back to your bed, and try to get a good night’s sleep, and be ready to come to me in the morning.  So good-night, my pet, my precious one.  God bless and keep my darling.  May He ever cause His face to shine upon you, and give you peace.”

He held her to his heart a moment, then let her go:  and she glided back to her room, and laid her head on her pillow to sleep sweetly, and dream happy dreams of her father’s love and tenderness.

She was with him again the next morning, an hour before it was time for the breakfast-bell to ring, sitting on his knee beside the open window, chatting and laughing as gleefully as the birds were singing on the trees outside.

“What do you think of this?” he asked, laying an open jewel-case in her lap.

She looked down, and there, contrasting so prettily with the dark blue velvet lining, lay a beautiful gold chain and a tiny gold watch set with pearls all around its edge.

“Oh, papa!” she cried, “is it for me?”

“Yes, my pet.  Do you like it?”

“Indeed I do, papa! it is just as lovely as it can be!” she said, taking it up and turning it about in her hands.  “It looks like mamma’s, only brighter, and newer; and this is a different kind of chain from hers.”

“Yes, that is entirely new; but the watch is the one she wore.  It is an excellent one, and I have had it put in order for her daughter to wear.  I think you are old enough to need it now, and to take proper care of it.”

“I shall try to, indeed.  Dear, darling mamma!  I would rather have her watch than any other,” she murmured, a shade of tender sadness coming over her face for a moment.  Then, looking up brightly, “Thank you, papa,” she said, giving him a hug and a kiss; “it was so kind in you to do it.  Was that what you went to the city for yesterday?”

“It was my principal errand there.”

“And now how sorry and ashamed I should be if I had taken advantage of your absence to eat all sorts of good things.”