MILDRED KEITH - Complete 7 Book Collection by Martha Finley

Author:Martha Finley [Finley, Martha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9788075831781
Publisher: Musaicum Books
Published: 2017-04-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter XV

Table of Contents

"Sweet beauty sleeps upon thy brow,

And floats before my eyes;

As meek and pure as doves art thou,

Or beings of the skies."

(Robert Morris)

"Elsie, don't you want to spend that week at Ion? I think it would be just lovely! I'd a great deal rather go there for a long visit than to Roselands," Annis said, taking off her hat and twirling it about in her hands, though her thoughts were evidently not on it.

They had just driven home from Ion and were in Elsie's dressing-room, Aunt Chloe busy about the person of her nursling.

"Yes, I should like to go very much indeed!" was the quick, earnest rejoinder.

"Then coax your father to let us."

Elsie shook her head. " That would be the surest way to make him say no. But you can go, Annis, if Cousin Mildred is willing, and I think it likely she will be; don't you?" " As if I'd care the least bit to go without you!" Annis exclaimed half indignantly. " But are you never allowed to coax?"

"No, not at all when papa is the person. He generally says yes or no at once, and then that's the end of it. Sometimes he says, ' I will consider the matter,' or ' I am not ready to decide that question yet,' and then I must just wait patiently till his answer is ready. I think mamma and Mr. Travilla can sometimes persuade him when they try, and I do hope they will try. You know," she added with a merry look, " he wouldn't be so rude to them as to refuse to listen to anything they might want to say."

"No; and I think he might be as polite to you."

"Papa always is polite to me, I think," Elsie answered gravely. "But you know it's his duty to train me up right, so he has to make rules and see that I obey them. "

"Oh, yes! of course; and I ought not to find the least fault with him; to you anyhow."

"Dar, darlin' , Ise done wid fixin' you, " re marked Aunt Chloe, smoothing down the folds of Elsie's dress. " Now, Miss Annis, what kin I do fo' you? I reckon de suppah bell ring fo' long. "

Not long after supper Mr. Dinsmore and Elsie were left sole occupants of the parlor. Dr. Landreth had gone to the library to do some writing, being much occupied just now with the business which had brought him South, the ladies were engaged with their babies, and Annis had run after Mildred as she left the room.

Mr. Dinsmore was pacing thoughtfully to and fro, Elsie seated beside the centre-table, turning over some new books, but now and then stealing a furtive glance at her father, very much wishing he would call her to him, broach the subject of the invitation to Ion, and say that he intended to let her accept it.

Presently she caught his eye, and pausing at her side he laid his hand caressingly on her head.

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