"I hope my little girl is not going to be naughty," he said, very
gravely.
Her face brightened in an instant. "No, papa," she answered
cheerfully, "I will be good, and do whatever you bid me."
"That is my own darling," said he, "and I will help you, and it
will not take long."
He opened her writing-desk as he spoke, and took out her account-
book.
"Oh! papa," she cried in a startled tone, springing forward and
taking hold of his hand, "please, please don't look! you know you
said I need not show you until after Christmas."
"No, I will not," he replied, smiling at her eagerness; "you shall
put down the items in the book, while I write the labels, and Aunt
Chloe pins them on. Will that do?"
"Oh! that's a nice plan, papa," she said gayly, as she threw off
her hat and pelisse, and seating herself before the desk, took out
her pen and ink.
Chloe put the hat and pelisse carefully away, brought a comb and
brush, and smoothed her nursling's hair, and then began her share
of the business on hand.
Half an hour's work finished it all, and Elsie wiped her pen, and
laid it away, saying joyously, "Oh! I'm so glad it is all done.
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