Then he came and stood by Grace, and stroked her hair gently.
"I wish, Gracie dear," he said, "you had asked my advice about this matter years ago.

You loved Walter,--I can see you did; and you sent him off on my account.

It is just too bad! Of all the men I ever knew, he was the one I should have been best pleased to have you marry!" "It was not wholly on your account, John.

You know there was our father," said Grace.
"Yes, yes, Gracie; but he would have preferred to see you well married.

He would not have been so selfish, nor I either.