"Please, papa, don't think that," she said, blushing, and hanging her
head: "I know you are much wiser than I am."

"Is it, then, that you doubt my affection for you?" he asked seriously.

"Why, papa, how could I, when you are so good to me, and often tell me
that you love me dearly?"

"What, then, is the trouble? if you believe your father to be both wise
and loving, and if you love him, and want to please him, how can you
object to his plans and wishes for you?"

"But, papa, who is to teach me how to take care of my rooms? Not mamma
Vi, I suppose? I never saw her do any such work; and--would you want me
taught by one of the servants?" she queried, blushing vividly.

"No," he said: "I have a better plan than that. I have engaged Christine
to be housekeeper here, and she will instruct you in all housewifely
arts. She is a lady in education and manners, and you need feel it no
degradation to be instructed by her."

"Oh, that will be nice! and I'll try to learn to do the work well, and
to like it, too, to please you, my own, dear papa," she said, looking up
lovingly into his face, her own growing very bright again.

"That is right, my dear little daughter," he returned, smiling kindly
upon her.

"You asked just now," he went on, "if your mamma Vi would teach you
these things. When I asked her to become my wife, I promised that she