"Not half so angry as if you refuse to give me your confidence. I would
be glad to know that my little daughter had not a single thought or
feeling concealed from me."

He paused a moment, looking down at the little blushing face, half hidden
on his breast, then went on:

"Elsie, daughter, you are more precious to me than aught else in the
wide world, and you need not fear that any other can ever take your place
in my heart, or that I will make any connection that would render you
unhappy. I want no one to love but my little girl; and you must not let
the gossip of the servants disturb you."

Elsie looked up in unfeigned astonishment.

"Papa! you seem to know everything about me. Can you read my thoughts?"

"_Almost_, when I can see your face," he answered, smiling at her puzzled
look. "I cannot quite, though; but I can put things together and make a
pretty good guess, sometimes."

She lay still on his breast for a moment; then, raising her eyes timidly
to his face again, she said in a half-hesitating way, "I am afraid it is
very naughty in me, papa, but I can't help thinking that Miss Stevens
is very disagreeable. I felt so that very first day, and I did not want
to take a present from her, because it didn't seem exactly right when I
didn't like her, but I couldn't refuse--she wouldn't let me--and I have
tried to like her since, but I can't."

"Well, darling, I don't think I am just the proper person to reprove you