Besides, Travilla," he added laughingly, "you must not forget the old proverb about people who live in glass houses." "Ah," replied Travilla, looking affectionately at his mother, "_I have_ a mistress for my establishment, and so can _afford_ to wait for Elsie." The child looked up quickly, with a slight flush on her face.
"You needn't, Mr.Travilla!" she said, "for I am _never_ going to leave my father; and you know he promised not to give me away, so if you want a little girl you will have to look somewhere else." "Ah! well, I will not despair yet," he replied laughingly, "for I have learned that ladies, both little and large, very often change their minds, and so I shall still live in hopes." "You know I like you very much indeed, Mr.Travilla--next best to papa--but then I couldn't leave him for _anybody_, you see," Elsie said in a deprecating tone, and looking affectionately up into his face.
"No, my dear, that is quite right, and I don't feel at all hurt," he answered with a good-natured smile, which seemed to relieve her very much.
Tea was over, the guests had returned to their homes, and Mr.Dinsmore sat by the fire, as usual, with his little girl upon his knee.
"We have had a very pleasant day, papa, haven't we ?" she remarked.
"Yes, darling, I have enjoyed it, and I hope you have, too." "Very much indeed, papa; and I do like all my presents so much." "If I should ask you to give me something of yours, would you be willing to do it ?" he inquired in a grave tone.
"Why, papa!" she said, looking up quickly into his face, "doesn't everything I have belong to you ?" "In some sense it does, certainly," he replied, "and yet I like you to feel that you have some rights of property.

But you did not answer my question." "I can't think what it can be, papa; but I am sure there is nothing of mine that I wouldn't be very glad to give you, if you wanted it," she said earnestly.
"Well, then," said he, "your aunt gave you a new Bible to-day, and as you don't need two, will you give the old one to me ?" A slight shade had come over the little girl's face, and she sat for a moment apparently in deep thought; then, looking up lovingly into his face, she replied, "I love it very much, papa, and I don't know whether any other Bible could ever seem _quite_ the same to me--it was mamma's, you know--and it has been with me in all my troubles, and I don't think I could be quite willing to give it to anybody else; but I am very glad to give it to you, my own dear, dear papa!" and she threw her arms around his neck.
"Thank you very much, my darling.

I know it is a very strong proof of your affection, and I shall value it more than its weight in gold," he said, pressing her to his heart, and kissing her tenderly..