This assurance had comforted her very much, and she felt quite happy while sitting there watching her father's slumbers.
At length he opened his eyes, and smiling fondly on her, asked: "Does not my little girl want some play this afternoon?
Your little hand must surely be very tired wielding that fan;" and taking it from her, he drew her head down to his breast and stroked her hair caressingly.
"No, my own papa, I would much rather stay with you, if you will let me," she answered eagerly.
"I am afraid I _ought_ to be very determined, and send you out to take some exercise," he replied, playfully running his fingers through her curls; "but it is too pleasant to have you here, so you may stay if you like." "Oh, thank you, dear papa! and will you let me wait on you?
What can I do for you now ?" "You may bring that book that lies on the table there, and read to me.
You need not learn any lessons for to-morrow, for I intend to keep you with me." The next day, and the next, and for many succeeding ones, Mr.Dinsmore was quite too ill to leave his bed, and during all this time Elsie was his constant companion by day--except for an hour every afternoon, when he compelled her to go out and take some exercise in the open air--and she would have sat by his side at night, also, but he would by no means permit it.
"No, Elsie," he replied to her repeated entreaties, "you must go to bed every night at your usual hour, and stay there until your accustomed hour for rising.

I will not have you deprived of your rest unless I am actually dying." This was said in the determined tone that always silenced Elsie at once, and she submitted to his decision without another word, feeling very thankful that he kept her so constantly at his side through the day.
She proved herself the best and most attentive of nurses, seeming to understand his wishes intuitively, and moving about so gently and quietly--never hurried, never impatient, never weary of attending to his wants.

His eyes followed with fond delight her little figure as it flitted noiselessly about the room, now here, now there, arranging everything for his comfort; and often, as she returned to her station at his side, he would draw her down to him, and stroke her hair, or pat her cheek, or kiss the rosy lips, calling her by every fond, endearing name--rose-bud--his pet--his bird--his darling.
It was she who bathed his head with her cool, soft hands, in his paroxysms of fever, smoothed his hair, shook up his pillows, gave him his medicines, fanned him, and read or sang to him, in her clear sweet tones.
He was scarcely considered in danger, but his sickness was tedious, and would have seemed far more so without the companionship of his little daughter.

Every day seemed to draw the ties of affection more closely between them; yet, fond as he was of her, he ever made her feel that his will was always to be law to her; and while he required nothing contrary to her conscience, she submitted without a murmur, both because she loved him so well that it was a pleasure to obey him, and also because she knew it was her duty to do so.
But, alas! duty was not always to be so easy and pleasant.
It was Sabbath morning.

All the family had gone to church, excepting Elsie, who, as usual, sat by her papa's bedside.