Page:Stella Dallas, a novel (IA stelladallasnove00prou).pdf/44

34 replied. "I feel that when you are with me I must give you the best of everything I can, Laurel, and when Mrs. Morrison invited you to stay with her I was very happy to give you five whole days of life in her home."

"If it's just for me, then, I think I'd rather stay here, if you don't mind."

Stephen looked down at a book on the table and opened it. He was standing up all ready to go.

"I don't mind," he said, gazing at the printed page, but not seeing it, "only," he went on, "I should feel sorry, I suppose, if you didn't like some little present I'd picked out for you which I thought very nice. And so, too, I suppose I shall feel a little disappointed if you don't wish to go to Mrs. Morrison's." He closed the book. "But of course I don't really mind. You're the one to be pleased."

He did mind. He minded awfully. He always minded when his voice was low and serious, like that.

"I'll go," said Laurel.

"Oh, you don't have to, my dear."

"I'd like to go," she assured him brightly, which was true. Laurel would like to do anything to please her father.