When Obadiah came home that night for dinner, she met him in the hall. He was a very tall man and extremely thin. His sharp features gave a shrewd expression and his smooth shaven face displayed a cruel mouth and an obstinate jaw. "Hello, Daddy dear," cried the girl as she held up her mouth to be kissed. She gave a happy little laugh when he pinched her cheek, and demanded of him, "What day is this?" "Tuesday," he answered indifferently, "the tenth of June." "Can't you think of anything else?" He looked puzzled. "It's not a holiday, is it?" "No, but it's my birthday, Daddy dear." He displayed some interest now. "Is that so? How old are you today?" "I am eighteen," she explained proudly. "Serena made me a cake with candles. She brought it in at lunch. She said it might bother you, tonight." She looked up at him quickly. "Do you love me, Daddy?" "Surely," he answered absently and shaking his iron grey head he ascended the stairs to prepare for dinner, muttering, "Time flies--how time flies." He joined his daughter again in the dining room in response to the gong. Serena had planned the meal with due regard to the fact that the day had been warm. A lobster, magnificent in its gorgeousness, reposed upon a bed of lettuce on the platter before Obadiah. A potato salad flanked it and a dish of sliced tomatoes reflected the color scheme of the crustacean. Dainty rolls, Serena's pride, peeped from the folds of a napkin and the ice clinked refreshingly in the tall tumblers of tea as they were stirred. Sometimes Virginia and her father chatted, but there were long silences. At intervals, Serena, noiselessly in spite of her weight, appeared to replenish or change a dish and to see that all things were in order. As they waited for the table to be cleared for dessert, the girl said wistfully, "I wish that I could help somebody, Daddy." He looked at her curiously. "What ever put that into your head? You are a help to me sitting there and smiling at me." "Oh, but that's not much. To sit at a table and smile and eat good things only helps oneself." "Well, why should you want to help anybody but you and me?" She gazed at him thoughtfully. "Don't joke, Daddy. I know I would be happier if I could do something for some one." Obadiah chuckled. "Where did you get that idea? I am perfectly happy tonight, and I haven't bothered myself about other people." "The very idea. All this livelong day you have been planning for those who work in your mill." A sudden light came to him, he chuckled again. "Surely, I look after my employees or they would look after me." "That makes you happy." Virginia was certain that she had made her point. "No," Obadiah shook his head vigorously, "my employees make me angry more than they make me happy. My happiness is the result of my own efforts." "That is what I mean, Daddy. You have had such great opportunities to make yourself happy." She viewed him with eyes of fond admiration. "You have accomplished so much."