“I shall be very glad of both your company and your help, darling, though I am sorry to have you miss your ride in order to give them to me.”

“But you needn’t be sorry, papa, because I’m ever so glad.  I was almost afraid you might be displeased with me for taking the liberty of staying at home without consulting you; but I don’t believe you are a bit,” stroking his face with her little soft white hand, then kissing him with warmth of affection.

“I am so much displeased, that as a punishment you will have to write several letters on your machine at my dictation,” he replied, with playful look and tone.  “We will set to work at once,” he added, putting her off his knee, taking the cover from her typewriter, and placing a chair before it for her to sit upon, then laying a pile of paper and envelopes within easy reach of her hand.

“Ah, papa, I don’t care how often you punish me in this way!” she exclaimed, with a merry laugh, as she took her seat.

“Tut! tut! don’t talk as if my punishment were nothing,” he replied, in pretended displeasure.  “You may get more of this kind some of these days than you will like.”

“Not while it’s a help to my dear father,” she returned, smiling up at him.

“You find that a pleasure, do you?” he asked, with tender look and tone, laying a hand caressingly on her head and gazing fondly down into her eyes.

“Yes, indeed, sir!  O papa, I just long to be a real help and comfort and blessing to you; and I do hope that some day I may be.”

“My own dear little daughter, you are already all three to me,” he said with emotion.  “Truly, I think no man ever had a more lovable child, or a more grateful and appreciative one.”

Those words sent a thrill of exquisite delight to Lulu’s heart.  “Dear papa, you are so kind to tell me that!” she said.  “Oh, I do want always to be all that to you!”

“And it is certainly my ardent desire to be the best of fathers to my dear eldest daughter, and all my children,” he responded.

“But now let us set to work upon this correspondence.”

For the next hour and more they were very busy; then, every letter having been replied to, the captain went out to a distant part of the plantation to see how work was progressing there, taking Lulu along.

Their way led them through the orange orchard, and both father and daughter found it a delightful walk.

They reached the house again just in time to receive the others on their return from their little excursion, and presently after, all sat down to dinner.

On leaving the table the little girls repaired to the veranda.

“I’m decidedly offended with you, Lu,” said Rosie, in jesting tone.

“What for?” asked Lulu.

“For forsaking us as you did this morning; and now the least reparation you can make is to confess why you did so.  Do you not agree with me, Eva?”