nd that papa should have punished me very severely?"

"I suppose he is the best judge of that," Eva answered, doubtfully. "But
what did he do? Surely he didn't pass it over as of no consequence? I
think he couldn't feel it right to allow his own child to refuse
obedience to his commands."

"No; of course not. The minute I'd said the words I could have bitten my
tongue off for it. I hoped papa hadn't heard, but he had, and he rose
from his chair and came toward me (very quietly; not at all as if he was
in a passion), and I jumped up, saying 'I will, papa; I'm coming.'"

"Then he said in a tone as if he were grieved and astonished that his
own little girl could talk so to him--'Tardy obedience following upon a
most insolent refusal to obey,' and took my hand and led me to the side
of his chair.

"Then he sat down and talked to Max a little, and sent him up to his
room, and after Max had gone he talked to me.

"He said he must punish me, but he would try a new way, and for four
days I shouldn't be his child at all--at least not be treated like it,
but just as if I were only a little girl visitor; he wouldn't give me
any orders, or advice, or direction, or instruction; and I mustn't take
any liberty with him that I wouldn't feel free to take with a stranger
gentleman.

"He said I must understand that he did not intend to subject me to any
harsh treatment, but would be as polite and attentive to my wants as if
I were a guest in the house."

"O Lu, did you like it? was it nice?"

"No, indeed! I thought they were the longest days I'd ever lived, and
wondered how I could ever have thought I'd like to be my own mistress
instead of having to obey papa.

"He didn't give me one cross word or even look, but he didn't invite me
to sit on his knee, and I didn't dare do so; he didn't call me pet names
and hug me up in his arms, as he so often does when I haven't been
naughty, and I couldn't wait on him as I always love to do; he wouldn't
let me do the least thing for him. I just felt as if I wasn't one of the
family at all, and would ten times rather have had the hardest of
whippings; at least so far as the pain was concerned."

"Yes, of course; it wouldn't have been half so hard to bear. At least I
can imagine that to be made to feel yourself only a stranger in your
father's house would be a great deal worse than having to endure quite
severe bodily pain. So I think you may feel that you have been
punished."

"Not so sev