"I don't know how any one could have the heart to injure her; but I think there has been foul play somewhere, and if she were mine I should certainly sift the matter to the bottom." "That I shall, you may rest assured, sir; but tell me doctor, do you think her ankle very seriously injured ?" "Not permanently, I hope; indeed, I feel quite sure of it, if she is well taken care of, and not allowed to use it too soon; but these sprains are tedious things, and she will not be able to walk for some weeks.
Good-night, sir; don't be too anxious, she will get over it in time, and you may be thankful it is nothing worse." "I am, indeed, doctor," Mr.Dinsmore said, warmly grasping the hand the kind-hearted physician held out to him.
Everybody was asking what the doctor had said, and how much Elsie was injured, and Mr.Dinsmore stepped into the drawing-room a moment to answer their inquiries, and then hastened back to his child again.
She looked so glad to see him.
"My poor little pet," he said, pityingly, "you will have a sad New Year's Day, fastened down to your couch; but you shall have as much of my company as you wish." "Shall I, papa ?--then you will have to stay by me all day long." "And so I will, dearest," he said, leaning fondly over her, and stroking back the hair from her forehead.

"Are you in much pain now, darling ?" he asked, as he noticed a slight contraction of her brow, and an almost deadly pallor around her mouth.
"Yes, papa, a good deal," she answered faintly; "and I feel so weak.
Please take me in your arms, papa, I want to lay my head against you." He raised her up gently, sat down on the end of the couch where her head had been, lifted her to his knee, and made Chloe place a pillow for the wounded limb to rest upon.
"There, darling, is that better ?" he asked, soothingly, as she laid her head wearily down on his breast, and he folded his arms about her.
"Yes, papa; but, oh, it aches very much," she sighed.
"My poor little daughter! my poor little pet!" he said, in a deeply compassionate tone, "it is so hard to see you suffer; I would gladly take your pain and bear it for you if I could." "Oh, no, dear papa, I would much rather bear it myself," she answered quickly.
The tea-bell rang, and Elsie half started up.
"Lie still, dearest," her father said.

"I am in no hurry for my tea, so you shall have yours first, and I will hold you while you eat it.

What will you have?
You may ask for anything you want." "I don't know, papa; whatever you please." "Well, then, Aunt Chloe, go down and bring up whatever good things are there, and she can take her choice.

Bring a cup of hot tea, too, I think it may do her good to-night." "Thank you, dear papa, you are so kind," Elsie said, gratefully.
When the carriage had driven off with Mr.Dinsmore and Elsie, the rest of the young party at once turned their steps toward the house; Arthur skulking in the rear, and the others eagerly discussing the accident as they went.
"Arthur pushed her down, I am _sure_ he did," said Lucy, positively.