But won't your papa let you stay up longer ?" "No," Elsie answered in a very decided tone; and they hurried to the parlor, where they seated themselves in a corner, and were soon eagerly discussing the pictures in Sophy's book.
They had just finished, and Sophy was beginning a very animated description of a child's party she had attended a short time before, when Elsie, who had been anxiously watching her father for the last five minutes, saw him take out his watch and look at her.
"There, Sophy," she said, rising, "I know papa means it is time for me to go to bed." "Oh, just wait one minute!" But Elsie was already half way across the room.
"It is your bedtime, daughter," said Mr.Dinsmore, smiling affectionately on her.
"Yes, papa; good-night," and she held up her face for the accustomed kiss.
"Good-night, daughter," he replied, bestowing the caress.

Then laying his hand gently on her head, he said softly, "God bless and keep my little one." Rose, who was seated on the sofa beside him, drew Elsie to her, saying, "I must have a kiss, too, darling." "Now go, daughter," said Mr.Dinsmore, as Rose released her from her embrace, "go to bed as soon as you can, and don't lie awake talking." "Mayn't I talk at all, after I go to bed, papa ?" "No, not at all." Seeing that Elsie was really going, Sophy had put away her book, and was now ready to accompany her.

She was quite a talker, and rattled on very fast until she saw Elsie take out her Bible; but then became perfectly quiet until Elsie was through with her devotions, and Chloe had come to prepare her for bed.

Then she began chatting again in her lively way, Elsie answering very pleasantly until she was just ready to step into bed, when she said gently, "Sophy, papa said, before I came up, that I must not talk at all after I got into bed, so please don't be vexed if I don't answer you, because you know I _must_ obey my father." "Pshaw! how provoking.

I thought we were going to have such a good time, and I've got ever so much to say to you." "I'm just as sorry as you are, Sophy, but I can't disobey papa." "He'd never know it," suggested Sophy in a voice scarcely above a whisper.
Elsie started with astonishment to hear Miss Rose's sister speaking thus.
"Oh, Sophy! you can't mean to advise me to deceive and disobey my father ?" she said.