"Good-morning, daughter," he returned, taking her hand and drawing her down to a seat by his side, then passing an arm about her waist and giving her the accustomed morning caress. "Did you sleep well?" "Yes, indeed, papa; from the minute I laid my head upon the pillow till I woke to find it broad daylight." "I am glad to hear it. It is something that both you and I should be very thankful for." "And you, papa? did you sleep well?" "Very; as I hope and believe all on board did. I suppose you left Grace still asleep?" "Yes, sir; sleeping so sweetly that I took particular pains to move quietly and not wake her." "That was right," he said. "I want her--my feeble little girl--to take all the sleep she can." "So do I, father; and I think she has gained a good deal in health and strength since she has had you at home almost all the time to take care of her." "That's what fathers are for--to take care of the children," he returned with a smile. "Well, daughter, what would you like to do to-day?" "Whatever my father bids me," she said with a happy laugh. "Ah! isn't that a rash choice?" he asked, passing his hand caressingly over her hair and smiling down at her as he spoke. "No, sir; I think not--considering how wise, kind, and loving my father is." "What would you think of a trip up to Kingston--to view it as one of the scenes of Revolutionary occurrences?" "Oh, I should like it very much!" she exclaimed with eager delight. "Do you think of going there to-day, papa?" "I have been thinking it would answer very well as a sequel to our Saturday's visit to Washington's old quarters at Newburgh. We will make the suggestion at the breakfast table, and see what the rest of our company think of it." "Oh, I don't believe anyone will think of objecting. I shall be astonished if they do." "But there are other places some may prefer visiting first, and it will be only polite and kind to let each one express his or her preference." "And the majority decide, I suppose?" "That is my idea," he said pleasantly. "Your ideas are always kind ones, father dear," she responded with a loving look up into his eyes. "Though occasionally not altogether agreeable to my eldest daughter, eh?" he returned with a smile, and playfully patting the hand which he held. "Ah, papa, I do not often object by word or look to your decisions nowadays, do I?" she said half-imploringly. "No, it has been a very rare thing for a very long while now," he said with a tenderly affectionate look--"so rare that I really believe my dear eldest daughter has come to have full faith in her father's wisdom and love for her." "Indeed, papa, I don't doubt either in the very least," she exclaimed with an energy that brought an amused smile to her father's lips and eyes.