"
Mr. Dinsmore was surprised; as indeed he had often been at Elsie's
knowledge of spiritual things.
"Who told you all that?" he asked.
"I read it in the Bible, papa; and besides, I know, because I have
felt it."
He did not speak again for some moments; and then he said very
gravely, "I am afraid you read too many of those dull books. I
don't want you to read things that fill you with sad and gloomy
thoughts, and make you unhappy. I want my little girl to be merry
and happy as the day is long."
"Please don't forbid me to read them, papa," she pleaded with a
look of apprehension, "for indeed they don't make me unhappy, and
I love them so dearly."
"You need not be alarmed. I shall not do so unless I see that they
do affect your spirits," he answered in a reassuring tone, and she
thanked him with her own bright, sweet smile.
She was silent for a moment, then asked suddenly, "Papa, may I say
some verses to you?"
"Some time," he said, "but not now, for there is the tea-bell;"
and taking her hand, he led her down to the dining-room.
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