wrong."

"No, darling; I did not think you would understand me, that was the
reason why I did not explain to you. I am always ready to talk with you,
if you can comprehend what I am saying."

"Never mind, mother, I am six years old; it won't be a great while
before I shall be 'a little older,' and then I can realize how very good
you are to me, my dear mother, and how patient you are."

Mrs. Grosvenor clasped the child in her arms. "What makes little pet
look so sober to-night?" asked Captain Grosvenor, as taking her on his
knee, he pushed the dark brown curls from off her forehead, and looked
into her mild, blue eyes. "What makes Sea-flower so quiet? Has anything
happened to either of your seven kittens? or has some flower which has
lived already a week longer than nature designed, at last withered, and
gone the way of all frailties?"

"O, father, I should be very wicked if I were not happy, when I have so
much to make me so; but sometimes, when I hear the shore roaring so loud
as it does this evening, and look up at the stars, as they twinkle in
their homes far away in the sky, there is something which comes over me
of sadness, making me a great deal happier; and there is one particular
star which I always notice, for it seems as if it was looking down at me
so gently, that I forget myself, and put out my hand to touch it, as if
it was not so far away; and I fancy sometimes that the star can read my
thoughts, for it seems to smile when I am happiest."

"You are a little fanciful creature; you must learn to leave off
dreaming when you are awake."

"What shall you dream about when father goes away to sea again?" asked
Harry.

"I think mother will not let him go; we cannot spare him; but if you
should go, father, I shall love to dream of you very often; I will think
of you every day, sailing on the water with a heart so light. O, it must
be so pleasant to live, to sleep on the water! And you will want to see
dear mother and Harry, when you are so far away; you will not forget
us;" and she hid her cheek in the hardy captain's bosom.

"No, no, darling, I shan't forget you; but we wont talk any more about
it now; I have not gone yet."

What was it made that stout man's voice tremulous, as he called for his
evening paper? Many a time had that stern voice been heard above the
hurricane's roar, giving the word of command,--why did it tremble now?
Was it that voice of childhood which sank into his heart?

*