“Did he say I was to have my own way?” said Stella, in a flush of pleasure.
“At least, he said the same thing. Yes, I am sure that was what he meant. He was full of his jokes, don’t you know? But that must have been what he meant; and I am sure I wish you joy with all my heart, Stella, dear.”
Stella went dancing home after this, though Katherine walked very gravely by her side.
“I knew papa would give in at last. I knew he never would stand against me, when he knew I was in earnest this time,” she cried.
“Do you think he would tell Mrs. Shanks, after sending off both of us, and frightening me?”
“You are so easily frightened,” cried Stella. “Yes, I shouldn’t wonder at all if he told Mrs. Shanks. He likes the two old cats; he knows they will go and publish it all over the place. He would think I should hear just as soon as if he had told me, and so I have. I will run in and give him a kiss, for he is a dear old soul, after all.”
Stella did run in and gave her father a tumultuous kiss, and roused him out of a nap.
“Oh, papa, you dear, you old darling--you best papa in the world!” she cried.
Mr. Tredgold felt a little cross at first, but the kiss and the praises were sweet to him. He put his arms round her as she stood over him.
“What have I done now?” he said, with his tinkling laugh.
“You have done just what I wanted most--what it was dearest of you to do,” she cried. “Mrs. Shanks told me. You told her, of course, dear papa, because you knew it would be published directly all over the place.”
“Oh, the two old cats!” he said, tinkling more than ever. “That’s what they made of it, is it? I said you might have your fun, my dear. You are free to have your fun as much as ever you like. That’s what I said, and that’s what I shall say as long as you’re amusing yourself, Stella. You can have your fling; I shan’t stop you. Enjoy yourself as long as you can, if that’s what you like,” he said.
“Oh, papa, what do you mean--what do you mean?” cried Stella. “Don’t you mean, dear papa,” she continued, with renewed caresses, putting her arms round his neck, pressing his bald head upon her breast, “that you’ll let Charlie come--that he needn’t go to India, that we are to be married, and that you’ll give us your blessing, and--and everything? That is what you mean, isn’t it, dear papa?”