we would like to have given us."

She paused, half hoping he would ask what she wanted from him, but he
did not. He sat silently caressing her hair and cheek with his hand, and
seemingly lost in thought.

At length, "Papa," she asked half hesitatingly, "are you very rich?"

"Rich?" he repeated, coming suddenly out of his reverie and looking
smilingly down into her eyes, "yes; I have a sound constitution,
excellent health, a delightful home, a wife and five children, each one
of whom I esteem worth at least a million to me; I live in a Christian
land," he went on in a graver tone, "I have the Bible with all its great
and precious promises, the hope of a blessed eternity at God's right
hand, and that all my dear ones are traveling heavenward with me; yes, I
am a very rich man!"

"Yes, sir; but--I meant have you a great deal of money."

"Enough to provide all that is necessary for the comfort of my family,
and to gratify any reasonable desire on the part of my little girl. What
is it you want, my darling?"

"Papa, I'm almost ashamed to tell you," she said, blushing and hanging
her head; "but if I do, and you can't afford it, won't you please say so
and not feel sorry about it? because I wouldn't ever want you to spend
money on me that you need for yourself or some of the others."

"I am glad you are thoughtful for others as well as yourself, daughter,"
he said kindly; "but don't hesitate to tell me all that is in your