"
She paused a moment, and struggled hard to keep down the rising
sobs, as she added, "But when you came, papa, and I saw you did
not love me, oh! papa, that was the worst. I thought I could
never, _never_ bear it. I thought my heart would break, and I
wanted to die and go to Jesus, and to mamma."
The little frame shook with sobs.
"My poor darling! my poor little pet!" he said, taking her in his
arms again, and caressing her with the greatest tenderness, "it
was very hard, very cruel. I don't know how I could steel my heart
so against my own little child; but I had been very much
prejudiced, and led to suppose that you looked upon me with fear
and dislike, as a hated tyrant."
Elsie lifted her eyes to his face with a look of extreme surprise.
"O papa!" she exclaimed, "how _could_ you think that? I have
always loved you, ever since I can remember."
When Elsie went to her room that evening she thought very
seriously of all that had occurred during the afternoon, and all
that her papa had said to her; and to her usual petitions was
added a very fervent one that he might never bid her break any
command of God; or if he did, that she might have strength given
her according to her day.
Pages:
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281