it is very full of mistakes, papa," she said.

"Never mind, daughter," he answered, encouragingly; "I know that it takes
a great deal of practice to make perfect, and it will be a great pleasure
to me to see you improve."

He looked over it, pointed out the mistakes very kindly and gently,
put the capitals in their proper places, corrected the punctuation,
and showed her how one or two of her sentences might be improved.

Then, handing it back, he said, "You had better put it in your desk now,
and leave the copying until to-morrow, as it will soon be your bedtime,
and I want you on my knee until then."

Elsie's face grew very bright, and she hastened to do his bidding.

"And may I talk, papa?" she asked, as he pushed away his writing, wheeled
his chair about toward the fire, and then took her on his knee.

"Yes," he said, smiling, "that is exactly what I want you to do. Tell me
what you have been doing all day, and how you are enjoying your holidays;
or talk to me of anything that pleases, or that troubles you. I love to
be made the confidant of my little girl's joys and sorrows; and I want
her always to feel that she is sure of papa's sympathy."

"I am so glad that I may tell you everything, my own papa," she answered,
putting her arm around his neck, and laying her cheek to his. "I have
enjoyed this day very much, because I have been with you nearly all the
time; and then, I had that nice letter from Miss Rose, too."