"It is, indeed, papa, something very good--just say yes; that's a dear, good papa." "Very well, Maddy, I say yes--now open the paper." Bending over her package, she opened just a small portion, and holding it up before her father, said, with an arch expression on her bright young face, "Just peep a little, papa," (and then closing it again,) "now, as soon as you give me two sweet kisses, you shall see what I have." Papa was only too willing to grant the request, and Madeline, trembling with delight, said, "There, papa, see what little Mad-cap has made for you;" and, opening wide her package, she produced a pair of beautiful slippers, which, after months of labor, she had worked for her father. It was her first piece of work, and quite a triumph of her skill. "It is a sweet gift, Maddy; I shall be almost too proud of them to wear them. Who would ever have thought of my wild little daughter's working a pair of slippers?" and Mr. Hamilton kissed his darling child again and again. "I never should have thought of doing it, papa, but Mrs. Bruce told me that I ought to do something for my kind father; and she showed me how to work them. Come, papa, put out your foot, let's try them on; why they fit beautifully; I am so glad!" "And now, what does my little daughter want?" "Why, papa, just let me go to Roland Bruce's Sunday-school. I get so tired on Sunday. Half the time Aunt Matilda does not go to church, and I have to wander about all day, tired of everything." "Brother, will you let the child go there? They are not of our church; she will learn all kinds of puritanic notions; I really think she ought to be brought up in the religion of her parents." "And so do I, Matilda, most emphatically; but if you do not attend to that yourself, and she must either lounge about the house all day, rove up the sea-shore, and among the lanes and woods, or go to Sunday-school with the Bruces, where she can occupy her busy mind with something good, I think the latter is to be preferred. You can go, my daughter, if it promotes your happiness." "She will have no associates of her own class, if you allow this intimacy." "She's only a child, Matilda; future years will regulate all that." "We shall see, brother; I am afraid that you will repent of the step." Maddy had gained the day; and on Sunday morning, off she trotted with her friends, the Bruces, with great delight. The exercises pleased her; fortunately, she was placed under the care of a wise and excellent teacher; and Maddy spent the first Sunday much to her satisfaction. But with all these influences, she was still the same mischief-loving child as ever. Old Betty, the cook, Nanny, her own maid in the kitchen, Mademoiselle in the school-room, and Aunt Matilda in the parlor, were all in turn the subjects of her practical jokes.