“Yes, papa, I think I do.  It’s almost a week since you have heard me recite; except the Sunday lesson yesterday.”

“Yes,” he said gravely, “it has been something of a loss to you in one way, but I trust a decided gain in another.  Well to change the subject, are you pleased with the prospect of spending the holidays at Ion?”

“Yes, papa; I think it will be lovely; almost as nice as having a party of our own, as we did last year.”

“Possibly we may add that—­a party here for a day or two—­if Grandma Elsie does not use up all the holidays with hers,” he said in a half jesting tone and with a pleasant laugh.

“O papa, do you really think we may?” she cried in delight.  “Oh you are just the kindest father!” giving him a hug.

He laughed at that, returning the hug with interest.

“I suppose you and Eva and the rest were laying out plans for Christmas doings this afternoon?” he said inquiringly.

“Yes, papa, we were talking a good deal about games and tableaux, and about the things we could buy or make for gifts to our friends, and what we would like to have given us.”

She paused, half hoping he would ask what she wanted from him, but he did not.  He sat silently caressing her hair and cheek with his hand, and seemingly lost in thought.

At length, “Papa,” she asked half hesitatingly, “are you very rich?”

“Rich?” he repeated, coming suddenly out of his reverie and looking smilingly down into her eyes, “yes; I have a sound constitution, excellent health, a delightful home, a wife and five children, each one of whom I esteem worth at least a million to me; I live in a Christian land,” he went on in a graver tone, “I have the Bible with all its great and precious promises, the hope of a blessed eternity at God’s right hand, and that all my dear ones are traveling heavenward with me; yes, I am a very rich man!”

“Yes, sir; but—­I meant have you a great deal of money.”

“Enough to provide all that is necessary for the comfort of my family, and to gratify any reasonable desire on the part of my little girl.  What is it you want, my darling?”

“Papa, I’m almost ashamed to tell you,” she said, blushing and hanging her head; “but if I do, and you can’t afford it, won’t you please say so and not feel sorry about it? because I wouldn’t ever want you to spend money on me that you need for yourself or some of the others.”

“I am glad you are thoughtful for others as well as yourself, daughter,” he said kindly; “but don’t hesitate to tell me all that is in your heart.  Nothing pleases me better than to have you, and all my dear children do so.”

“Thank you, my dear, dear papa.  I don’t mean ever to hide anything from you,” she returned, giving him another hug and kiss, while her eyes sparkled and her cheek flushed with pleasure.  “It’s a diamond ring I’d like to have.”

“A diamond ring?” he repeated in surprise.  “What would my little girl do with such a thing as that?”