"You will let me be your little nurse, my own dear papa, will you not?"
she asked coaxingly. "May I bring some cool water and bathe your head?"

"Yes, darling, you may," he said, releasing her hands.

Elsie stole softly out of the room, but was back again almost in a
moment, followed by Chloe, bearing a pitcher of ice-water.

"Now, mammy, please bring a basin and napkin from the dressing-room," she
said, in a low tone, as the old nurse set down her burden. "And then you
may darken the room a little. And shall I not tell her to send Jim or
Jack for the doctor, papa?"

"It is hardly necessary, darling," he replied, with a faint smile.

"Oh! please, papa, my own dear, darling papa, do let me!" she entreated.
"You know it cannot do any harm, and may do a great deal of good."

"Ah! well, child, do as you like," he replied with a weary sigh; "but the
doctor will, no doubt, think me very foolish to be so easily frightened."

"Then, papa, I will tell him it was I, not you, who were frightened, and
that you sent for him to please your silly little daughter," Elsie said,
fondly laying her cheek to his, while he passed his arm around her, and
pressed her to his side.

"Here are de tings, darlin'," said Chloe, setting down the basin, and
filling it from the pitcher.