"Mr.Lloyd, this is my father." Then she added, "He came to bring back my valedictory." She was very awkward, but it was the charming awkwardness of a beautiful child.

She looked exceedingly childish standing beside her father, looking into his worn, embarrassed face.
Lloyd shook hands with Andrew, and said something about the valedictory, which he had enjoyed reading.
"She wrote it all herself without a bit of help from the teacher," said Andrew, with wistful pride.
"It is remarkably well written," said Robert.
"You didn't hear it read at the hall ?" said Andrew.
"No, I had not that good fortune." "You ought to have heard them clap," said Andrew.
"Oh, father," murmured Ellen, but she looked innocently at her father as if she delighted in his pride and pleasure without a personal consideration.
The front door opened.

"That's your mother," said Andrew.
Fanny looked into the lighted parlor, and dodged back with a little giggle.
Ellen colored painfully.

"It is Mr.Lloyd, mother," she said.
Then Fanny came forward and shook hands with Robert.

Her face was flaming--she cast involuntary glances at Andrew for confirmation of her opinion.