"What sweet words, papa!" she exclaimed with a happy sigh. "But sometimes when I think of all my past naughtiness--giving you so much pain and trouble--I wonder that you can love me half so well as you do." "Dear child, I think I never loved you the less because of all that, nor you me less because of the severity of my discipline." "Papa, I believe I always loved you better for your strictness and severity. You made it so clear to me that it was done for my best good and that it hurt you when you felt it your duty to give me pain." "It did indeed!" he said; "but for a long time now my eldest daughter has been to me only a joy, a comfort, a delight--so that I can ill bear the thought of resigning her to another." "Ah, father, what sweet, sweet words to hear from your lips! they make me so glad, so happy." "Pleasant words those for me to hear, and a pleasant thought that my dear eldest daughter is not in haste to leave my protecting care for that of another. I trust Chester is inclined to wait patiently until the right time comes?" "He has made it evident to me that he would much rather shorten the time of waiting if there were a possibility of gaining my father's consent." "But that there is not," the captain replied with decision. "If I should consider only my own feeling and inclination and my belief as to what would be really best for you, I should certainly keep full possession of my eldest daughter for several years to come. I have had a talk with Dr. Conly on the subject, and he, as a physician, tells me it would be far better in most cases, for a girl to remain single until well on toward twenty-five." "Which would make her quite an old maid, I should think, papa," laughed Lucilla. "Yet if you bid me wait that long and can make Chester content--I'll not be at all rebellious." "No, I don't believe you would; but I have really no idea of trying you so far. By the way, Rosie and her Will, Maud and Dick seem two very happy couples." "Yes, indeed, father; it is a pleasure to watch them. And do you know I think Frank Dinsmore is casting longing eyes at our Grace." "But you don't think the dear child cares at all for him?" "Oh, no, sir! no, indeed! Grace doesn't care in the least for beaux, and loves no other man half so well as she does her father and mine." "Just as I thought; but I want you quietly to help me prevent any private interviews between them--lest she might learn to care for him." "Thank you for trusting me, papa; I will do any best," she responded. Then they bade good-night and Lucilla went to her room. She found Eva there and they chatted pleasantly together as they prepared for bed. Eva had noticed Frank's evident devotion to Grace and spoke of it, adding, "It is a pity, for of course your father--I had very nearly said father, for I begin to feel as if I belonged in his flock--considering us older ones too young to marry, will say she is very far from being old enough for loverlike attentions."