At length, though, she was able to walk about her room a little, and her father had several times taken her out in the carriage, to get the fresh air, as he said.
It was Saturday afternoon.

Elsie was sitting on her sofa, quietly working, while her nurse sat on the other side of the room, knitting busily, as usual.
"Oh, mammy!" exclaimed the little girl, with sigh, "it is such a long, long time since I have been to church.

How I wish papa would let me go to-morrow! Do you think he would, if I should ask him ?" "Dunno, darlin'! I'se 'fraid not," replied the old woman, shaking her head doubtfully.

"Massa Horace berry careful ob you, an' dat ankle not well yet." "Oh! but, mammy, I wouldn't need to walk, excepting just across the church, for you know papa could carry me down to the carriage," said the little girl eagerly.
Mr.Dinsmore came in soon afterwards, and, greeting his little girl affectionately, sat down beside her, and, taking a newspaper from his pocket, began to read.
"Papa, mayn't I sit on your knee ?" she asked softly, as he paused in his reading to turn his paper.
He smiled, and without speaking lifted her to the desired position, then went on reading.
She waited patiently until there was another slight pause; then asked in her most coaxing tone, "Papa, may I go to church to-morrow ?" "No," he said, decidedly, and she dared not say another word; but she was sadly disappointed, and the tears sprang to her eyes, and presently one rolled down and fell upon her lap.
He saw it, and giving her a glance of mingled surprise and displeasure, put her back upon the sofa again, and returned to his paper.
She burst into sobs and tears at that, and laying her head down upon the cushion, cried bitterly.
Her father took no notice for a little while; then said, very gravely, "Elsie, if you are crying because I have put you off my knee, that is not the way to get back again.

I must have _cheerful_ submission from my little girl, and it was precisely _because_ you were crying that I put you down." "Please take me again, papa, and I won't cry any more," she answered, wiping her eyes.
He took her in his arms again, and she nestled close to him, and laid her head down on his breast with a sigh of satisfaction.
"You _must_ learn not to cry when I do not see fit to acquiesce in your wishes, my daughter," he said, stroking her hair.