should be much easier in mind--it would give me great satisfaction--if
my little girl would voluntarily relinquish the bath for this one day
that I shall not be here to take care of her, for possibly she might be
swept away, and it would be a terrible thing to me to lose her."

"I 'most wonder you don't say a good thing, papa, I'm so often naughty
and troublesome," she said, suddenly becoming humble and penitent.

"No, it would not be true; your naughtiness often pains me deeply, but
I must continue to love my own child in spite of it all," he responded,
bending down and imprinting a kiss upon her lips.

"And I love you, papa; indeed, indeed I do," she said, with her arm
round his neck, her cheek pressed close to his; "and I won't go in
to-morrow; I'm glad to promise not to if it will make you feel easier
and enjoy your day more."

"Thank you, my dear child," he said. "I have not the least doubt of
your affection."

Edward had spread a rug on the sand just high enough on the beach to be
out of reach of the incoming waves, and Zoe, with a book in her hand,
was half reclining upon it, resting on her elbow and gazing far out over
the waters.

"Well, Mrs. Travilla, for once I find you alone. What has become of your
other half?" said a lively voice at her side.

"Oh, is it you, Betty?" Zoe exclaimed, quickly turning her head and
glancing up at the speaker.