would have had him in her arms more than half the time; but he was a
plump little fellow, and soon grew so large and heavy that her father
forbade her carrying him lest she should injure herself; but she would
romp and play with him by the hour while he was in the nurse's arms,
or seated on the bed; and when any of her little friends called, she
could not be satisfied to let them go away without seeing the baby.

The first time Mr. Travilla called, after little Horace's arrival, she
exhibited her treasure to him with a great deal of pride, asking if he
did not envy her papa.

"Yes," he said, looking admiringly at her, and then turning away with
a half sigh.

A few minutes afterwards he caught hold of her, set her on his knee,
and giving her a kiss, said, "I wish you were ten years older, Elsie,
or I ten years younger."

"Why, Mr. Travilla?" she asked rather wonderingly.

"Oh, because we would then be nearer of an age, and maybe you would
like me better."

"No, I wouldn't, not a bit," she said, putting her arm round his neck,
"for I like you now just as well as I could like any gentleman but
papa."

The elder Mr. Dinsmore was very proud of his little grandson and made
a great pet of him, coming to the Oaks much more frequently after his
birth than before.