yes from the book to
his face, asking, in a half tremulous tone, "What, papa?"

"Put down your book and come to me," he replied, seating himself.

His tone lacked its usual harshness, yet the little girl came to him
trembling so that she could scarcely stand.

It displeased him.

"Elsie," he said, as he took her hand and drew her in between his knees,
"why do you always start and change color when I speak to you? and why
are you trembling now as if you were venturing into the lion's jaws?--are
you afraid of me?--speak!"

"Yes, papa," she replied, the tears rolling down her cheeks, "you always
speak so sternly to me now, that I cannot help feeling frightened."

"Well, I didn't intend to be stern this time," he said more gently than
he had spoken to her for a long while; "but tell me, my daughter, are you
quite well?--you are growing very pale and thin, and I want to know if
anything ails you."

"Nothing, papa, but--" the rest of her sentence was lost in a burst of
tears.

"But what?" he asked almost kindly.

"Oh, papa! you know! I want your love. _How can I live without it_?"

"You need not, Elsie," he answered very gravely, "you have only to bow
that stubborn will of yours, to have all the love and all the caresses
you can ask for."

Wiping her eyes, she looked up beseechingly into his face, asking, in
pleading tones, "_Dear_ papa, won't you give me one kiss--just _one_?
Think how long I have been without one."

"Elsie, say 'I am sorry, papa, that I refused to obey you on that
Sabbath-day; will you please to forgive me? and I will always be obedient
in future,' That is all I require. Say it, and you will be at once
entirely restored to favor."

"I am _very sorry_, dear papa, for _all_ the naughty things I have ever
done, and I will always try to obey you, if you do not bid me break God's
commandments," she answered in a low, tremulous tone.

"That will not do, Elsie; it is not what I bid you say. I will have no
_if_ in the matter; nothing but _implicit, unconditional_ obedience," he
said in a tone of severity.

He paused for a reply, but receiving none, continued: "I see you are
still stubborn, and I shall be compelled to take severe measures to
subdue you. I do not yet know what they will be, but one thing is
certain--I will not keep a rebellious child in my sight; there are
boarding-schools where children can be sent who are unworthy to enjoy
the privileges and comforts of home."

"Oh, papa! dear,