She was also as
shy and easily agitated, and yet, like the flower she resembled,
well rooted among the rocks of principle and truth. She was the
youngest and the pet of the household, and yet the "petting" was
not of that kind that develops selfishness and wilfulness, but
rather a genial sunlight of love falling upon her as a focus from
the entire family. They always spoke of her as "little Sis," or
the "child." And a child it seemed she would ever be, with her
kittenish ways, quick impulses, and swiftly alternating moods. As
she developed into womanly proportions, her grave, businesslike
father began to have misgivings. After one of her wild sallies at
the table, where she kept every one on the qui vive by her
unrestrained chatter, Mr. Alford said:
"Elsie, will you ever learn to be a woman?"
Looking mischievously at him through her curls, she replied, "Yes;
I might if I became as old as Mrs. Methuselah."
They finally concluded to leave Elsie's cure to care and trouble--
two certain elements of earthly life; and yet her experience of
either would be slight indeed, could their love shield her.
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