"My dear children," he said, "at last our luck has turned. This letter
says that one of the ships supposed to have been lost has come safely
home to port, and if that be so, we need no longer live in poverty. We
shall not be so rich as before, but we shall have enough to keep us in
comfort. Get me my traveling-cloak, Beauty. I will set out at once to
claim my ship. And now tell me, girls, what shall I bring you when I
come back?"
"A hundred pounds," said Marigold, without hesitating an instant.
"I want a new silk dress," said Dressalinda, "an apple-green one, sewn
with seed-pearls, and green shoes with red heels, and a necklace of
emeralds, and a box of gloves."
"And what shall I bring for you, my Beauty?" asked the father, as his
little daughter helped him to put on his traveling-cloak.
"Oh, bring me a rose," said Beauty hastily.
Her father kissed her fondly, and set out.
"You silly girl," said Marigold, "you just want our father to think
you are more unselfish than we are--that's what you want! A rose,
indeed!"
"Indeed, sister," said Beauty, "that was not the reason. I thought our
father would have enough to do in seeing to the safety of his ship,
without being troubled to do shopping for me.
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