human
My darling!
gpt
Dear papa! she responded, glancing up into his face with tear-dimmed eyes, as he stood at the back of her sofa, bending over her.
human
Let me give you a chair,
gpt
No; lie still. I will help myself.
human
Why look at these, if it makes you sad, my child?
gpt
There is sometimes a sweetness in the tears called forth by pleasant memories of loved ones gone before, papa, she said.
human
These anniversaries will recall the dear husband who always remembered his little wife so kindly upon each, and there is a melancholy pleasure in looking over his Christmas gifts, I have them all here, beginning with this--the very first. Do you remember it, papa? And this Christmas day when he gave it to me? the first Christmas that you were with me.
gpt
Yes, I think I do, he said.
human
I certainly remember the day, the first Christmas after my return from Europe, the first on which I heard myself addressed as papa--the sweetest of child voices calling me that, and wishing me a merry Christmas, as the dearest, loveliest of little girls ran into my arms. Dear daughter, what a priceless treasure you have been to me ever since! he added, bending over her and softly smoothing her hair.
gpt
It has always been a joy to call you mine.
human
Yes, dear, dear father! and to me to be so called. We loved one another very dearly then, each was all the other had, and I think our mutual love has never been less because of the other many tender ties God has given us since.
gpt
I am sure you are right, daughter, but at that time, he added with a smile,
human
Yes, foolish child that I was! she said, with a low musical laugh;
gpt
No, not always,
human
Yes, papa, always, she said with playful tenderness.
gpt
I will insist upon that; because even when most severe with me, you did what at the time you deemed your duty, and believed to be for my good.
human
Yes, that is true, my dear, forgiving child! and yet I can never think of the suffering you endured during the summer that succeeded the Christmas we have been talking of, without keen remorse.
gpt
Yet, long before the next Christmas came I was happier than ever, she said, looking up into his face with a smile full of filial love.
human
It was the first in our own dear home at the Oaks, you remember, papa. You gave me a lovely set of pearls--necklace and bracelets--and this, taking up a pearl ring,
gpt
Yes, he told me after you were grown and he had offered himself, that it had been love at first sight with him, little child that you were when he first made your acquaintance. That surprised me, though less than the discovery that you fancied one so many years your senior.
human
But so good, so noble, so lovable! she said.
gpt
Surely, it was not half so strange, papa, as that he should fancy a foolish young thing such as I was then; not meaning that I am yet very greatly improved,
human
I am fully satisfied with you just as you are, he said, bending down over her and touching his lips two or three times to her forehead,
gpt
My darling, my first-born and best-beloved child! no words can express the love and tenderness I feel for you, or my pity for the grief which is beyond my power to relieve.
human
Dear papa, your sympathy is very sweet, she said in tremulous tones,
gpt
You cannot be wholly miserable while that precious love and pity are yours, my dear child, even if all earthly loves should be taken from you, which may God forbid should ever happen.
human
No, papa; dearly as I loved my husband, I am happy in that divine love still mine, though parted from him; and dearly as I love you and my children, I know that were you all taken from me, I could still rejoice in the love of Him who died for me, and who has said, 'I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.' 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' 'I have loved thee with an everlasting love.'
gpt
You will go to Roselands to-morrow?
human
Yes, papa, if you go, as I heard you say you intended, and nothing happens to prevent. Rosie was particularly delighted with Cal's invitation, she added, smiling up at him,
gpt
It will not be by any means her first visit to Roselands,
human
Oh, no, sir! only the first after hearing of those interesting episodes in her mother's life.
gpt
But the house is not the same.
human
No, sir; yet the hall and parlors, your rooms and mine are about where and what they were in the old house.
gpt
Ah! well I hope Rosie will enjoy it. And that you may do so, I shall leave you now, begging you to go at once to bed. Good-night, daughter.
human
Good-night, my dearest, best of fathers,
gpt
Aunt Maria,