n useless to coax after he has once said no."

"Then coax him before he has a chance to say it," suggested Sophy,
laughing.

"Perhaps that might do if I can manage it," said Elsie, thoughtfully.
"I wish he would come!" she added, walking to the window and looking out.

"He won't be here for an hour or two, at any rate, if he dined in the
city," said Sophy. "Oh, how warm it is! let's go to our room, Elsie, and
take off our dresses and have a nap. It will help to pass away the time
until your papa comes."

Elsie agreed to the proposal, and before long they were both sound
asleep, having tired themselves out with romping and running.

When Elsie awoke she found Chloe standing over her. "You's had a berry
good nap, darlin', an' you's berry warm," she whispered, as she wiped the
perspiration from the little girl's face. "Let your ole mammy take you up
an' give you a bath an' dress you up nice an' clean, 'fore Miss Sophy
gits her blue eyes open."

"Oh, yes, that will make me feel so much better," agreed the little girl,
"and you must make me look very nice, mammy, to please papa. Has he come
yet?"

"Yes, darlin'; master's been home dis hour, an' I 'specs he's in de
parlor dis minute talkin' 'long of Miss Rose an' de rest."

"Then hurry, mammy, and dress me quickly, because I want to ask papa
something," Elsie said in an eager whisper, as she stepped hastily off
the bed.

Chloe did her best, and in half an hour Elsie, looking as sweet and fresh
as a new-blown rose in her clean white frock and nicely brushed curls,
entered the parlor where her father, Mrs. Allison, Miss Rose, and her
elder brother were seated.

Mr. Dinsmore was talking with Edward Allison, but he turned his head as
Elsie came in, and held out his hand to her with a proud, fond smile.

She sprang to his side, and, still going on with his conversation, he
passed his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek, while she leaned
against his knee, and with her eyes feed lovingly upon his face waited
patiently for an opportunity to prefer her request.

Miss Rose was watching them, as she often did, with a look of intense
satisfaction, for it rejoiced her heart to see how her little friend
revelled in her father's affection.

The gentlemen were discussing some scientific question with great
earnestness, and Elsie began to feel a little impatient as they talked on
and on without seeming to come any nearer to a conclusion: but at last
Edward rose and left