Once or twice she asked him to tell her a word, but the most of it she got through without any difficulty.
At last she had finished.
"It is such a nice letter, papa," she said as she folded it up, "and so good of Miss Rose to write to me again so soon." "Are you not going to let _me_ enjoy it, too ?" he asked.
She put it into his hand instantly, saying, with a blush, "I did not know you would care to read it, papa." "I am interested in all that gives either pleasure or pain to my little girl," he answered gently.

"I wish to be a sharer in all her joys and sorrows." Elsie watched him while he read, almost as intently as he had watched her; for she was anxious that he should be pleased with Miss Rose's letter.
It was a cheerful, pleasant letter, well suited to interest a child of Elsie's years; giving an account of home scenes; telling of her little brothers and sisters, their love for each other; the little gifts they had prepared in anticipation of Christmas, etc., etc.
At the close she made some allusion to Elsie's letters, and expressed her heartfelt sympathy in her little friend's happiness.
"I am so glad, my darling," she wrote, "that your father now loves you so dearly, and that you are so happy in his love.

My heart ached for you in the bitter disappointment of your first meeting with him.

It is true you never said that you were disappointed, but there was a tone of deep sadness in your dear little letter, the cause of which I--who knew so well how you had looked and longed for his return, and how your little heart yearned for his affection--could not fail to guess.

But, dear child, while you thus rejoice in an _earthly_ father's love, do not forget that you have a Father in Heaven, who claims the _first_ place in your heart; and who is the giver of every good gift, not even excepting the precious love that now makes your young life so bright and happy.
Keep close to Jesus, dear Elsie: His is the only _truly satisfying_ love--the only one we can be certain will never fail us." "Is it not a nice letter, papa ?" asked the little girl, as he refolded and gave it to her again.
"Very nice, daughter," he answered, in an absent way.