Sometimes Elsie would ask very earnestly, "Do you thing papa loves
Jesus, mammy?" And Chloe would reply with a doubtful shake of the
head, "Dunno, darlin'; but ole Chloe prays for him ebery day."

"And so do I," Elsie would answer; "dear, dear papa, how I wish he
would come home!"

And so the winter glided away, and spring came, and Miss Allison
must soon return home. It was now the last day of March, and her
departure had been fixed for the second of April. For a number of
weeks Elsie had been engaged, during all her spare moments, in
knitting a purse for Rose, wishing to give her something which was
the work of her own hands, knowing that as such it would be more
prized by her friend than a costlier gift. She had just returned
from her afternoon ride, and taking out her work she sat down to
finish it. She was in her own room, with no companion but Chloe,
who sat beside her knitting as usual.

Elsie worked on silently for some time, then suddenly holding up
her purse, she exclaimed, "See, mammy, it is all done but putting
on the tassel! Isn't it pretty? and won't dear Miss Allison be
pleased with it?"

It really was very pretty indeed, of crimson and gold, and
beautifully knit, and Chloe, looking at it with admiring eyes,
said, "I spec she will, darlin'. I tink it's berry handsome."

At this moment Enna opened the door and came in.