“I am so glad it does, papa; so glad I am of some use to you,” she returned, blushing with pleasure as she spoke.

“I know you are, daughter dear, else I should not call upon you for these services,” he said heartily; then, glancing over a letter he had just opened, he began dictating.

He had not said anything to her about the talk he and Donald Keith had had the night before, nor did he intend to.  So sure of the result was he that it did not seem at all necessary, and he thought the knowledge of what was before her would only cause her embarrassment and discomfort.  He did not know what opportunity Keith might seize, and it seemed better to leave her in ignorance of his intentions.

“Is that all, father?” she asked presently, when several letters had been written.

“Yes, daughter,” he replied; “and now we can feel free for the day.  I hope it will be a pleasant one to you.”

“I expect it to be, papa,” she returned; “Pinegrove is a beautiful place, and the Howards are delightful people.  No relation to me, but tolerably near cousins to Mamma Vi, you know.”

“Yes; Mrs. Howard being half sister to her grandfather,” he said with an amused look.  “They can hardly be called near relatives, but are very estimable people, and I think the half day may be passed very pleasantly with them and the visiting relatives.”

“I like Flora Howard.  Papa, don’t you think she might make a nice wife for Captain Keith, if only they should take a fancy to each other?”

“I hadn’t thought of it.  She is rather young—­not much older than my daughter Lulu, I judge; so had better not be thinking of marriage for years to come.”

“Yes, sir; but a good many girls do, you know; girls that haven’t such a dear, good father as mine to make them feel that they never want to leave him for anybody else.”

“You are sure you don’t want to leave yours?” he asked with a searching, though smiling look into her face.

“Oh, papa, you can’t doubt it, I am sure!” she exclaimed, giving him a look of ardent affection.

“No, I do not,” he returned; “I am very sure—­since you have told me so at least a dozen times—­that my dear eldest daughter loves me better than she does any other man living, and wants me to keep her all my own for years to come.”

“Yes, indeed, papa,” she said with a happy laugh, “that is just what I want you to do.”

“Then we entirely agree.  There is the breakfast bell, and I hope my daughter feels ready to obey its summons.”

“Yes, sir; it is a welcome sound.”

It was a bright and cheerful party that presently gathered about the table, and a lively conversation was carried on while they partook of the tempting viands.  The new home about to be prepared for Rosie, its present condition, the beauty of the situation, the grounds, the building, and the improvements to be made by alterations and additions, were themes dilated upon for a time; then the approaching marriage of Dick and Maud came under discussion, and the questions were broached whether she would wear the dress she had worn as Rosie’s bridesmaid, and whether she would have the same attendants.