Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[imchongjun]

Hi.
I am reading a novel and I have trouble understanding the following passage.

(This is a story about the Corbetts who, just a little after a war broke out, left their home in Southampton and began to live in a yacht in order to avoid air raids. One day Mr. Corbett visited their home and fetched a lipstick and a powder compact for his wife, and some toys and books for his children, and fresh milk for the baby, and then returned to the yacht.)

In the steady roar that came from the baby he helped her to prepare a bottle of the fresh milk, watched her offer it. The noise stopped, and the silence could be felt. Phyllis looked up from playing with the little musical truck upon the cabin floor, and said, "I've got a piece of soap, Daddy."
He expressed interest, and went and fetched the kaleidoscope. "I got this for you from home," he said. "I thought you'd like to have it."
(http://www.gutenbergcanada.ca/ebooks/shuten-whathappenedtothecorbetts/shuten-whathappenedtothecorbetts-00-h.html)

What does Phyllis mean by "I've got a piece of soap"? and why did the father show "interest" when his daughter said this? I appreciate your help. Thank you.