`` Seems to me you look very well as you are . Is n't that a pretty enough frock ? '' asked Mr. Bemis , quite unconscious that his own unusual interest in his daughter 's affairs made her look so bright and winsome . `` This ? Why , father , I 've worn it all winter , and it 's frightfully ugly , and almost in rags . I asked you for a new one a month ago , and you said you 'd ` see about it ' ; but you did n't , so I patched this up as well as I could ; '' and Molly showed her elbows , feeling that such masculine blindness as this deserved a mild reproof . `` Too bad ! Well , go and get half a dozen pretty muslin and gingham things , and be as gay as a butterfly , to make up for it , '' laughed her father , really touched by the patches and Molly 's resignation to the unreliable `` I 'll see about it , '' which he recognized as a household word . Molly clapped her hands , old gloves and all , exclaiming , with girlish delight , `` How nice it will seem to have a plenty of new , neat dresses all at once , and be like other girls ! Miss Bat always talks about economy , and has no more taste than a -- caterpillar . '' Molly meant to say `` cat , '' but remembering her pets , spared them the insult . `` I think I can afford to dress my girl as well as Grant does his . Get a new hat and coat , child , and any little notions you fancy . Miss Bat 's economy is n't the sort I like ; '' and Mr. Bemis looked at his wristbands again , as if he could sympathize with Molly 's elbows . `` At this rate , I shall have more clothes than I know what to do with , after being a rag-bag , '' thought the girl , in great glee , as she bravely stitched away at the worst glove , while her father smoked silently for a while , feeling that several little matters had escaped his eye which he really ought to `` see about . '' Presently he went to his desk , but not to bury himself in business papers , as usual , for , after rummaging in several drawers , he took out a small bunch of keys , and sat looking at them with an expression only seen on his face when he looked up at the portrait of a dark-eyed woman hanging in his room . He was a very busy man , but he had a tender place in his heart for his children ; and when a look , a few words , a moment 's reflection , called his attention to the fact that his little girl was growing up , he found both pride and pleasure in the thought that this young daughter was trying to fill her mother 's place , and be a comfort to him , if he would let her . `` Molly , my dear , here is something for you , '' he said ; and when she stood beside him , added , as he put the keys into her hand , keeping both in his own for a minute , -- `` Those are the keys to your mother 's things . I always meant you to have them , when you were old enough to use or care for them . I think you 'll fancy this better than any other present , for you are a good child , and very like her . ''
Something seemed to get into his throat there , and XXXXX put her arm round his neck , saying , with a little choke in her own voice , `` Thank you , father , I 'd rather have this than anything else in the world , and I 'll try to be more like her every day , for your sake . ''
Bat Bemis Grant Molly child minute month muslin rag-bag wristbands