“Grace,” he said, in his clear, definite tones, “come here!”

The child gave a great start and shrank against Avery’s shoulder.  “Oh no!” she whispered.  “No!”

“Come here!” repeated Mr. Lorimer.

He extended his hand, but Gracie only shrank further away.  She was trembling violently, so violently that Avery felt impelled to pass a sustaining arm around her.

“Come, my child!” said the Vicar, the majestic composure of his features gradually yielding to a look of dawning severity.

“Go, dear!” whispered Avery.

“I don’t want to,” gasped Gracie.

“I shall not punish you,” her father said, “unless I find you disobedient or still unrepentant.”

“Darling, go!” Avery urged softly into her ear.  “It’ll be all right now.”

But Gracie, shaking from head to foot and scarcely able to stand, only clung to her the faster, and in a moment she began agitatedly to cry.

Mr. Lorimer’s hand fell to his side.  “Still unrepentant, I fear,” he said.

Avery, with the child gathered closely to her, looked across at him with wide, accusing eyes.

“She is frightened and upset,” she said.  “It is not fair to judge her in this condition.”

Mr. Lorimer’s eyes gleamed back malignantly.  He made her an icy bow.  “In that case, Mrs. Denys,” he said, “she had better go to bed and stay there until her condition has improved.”

Avery compressed her lips tightly, and made no rejoinder.

The Reverend Stephen compressed his, and after a definite pause of most unpleasant tension, he uttered a deep sigh and withdrew.

“I know he means to do it again!” sobbed Grade.  “I know he does!”

“He shall not!” said Avery.

And with the words she put the child from her, rose, and with great determination walked out of the room.

Mr. Lorimer had scarcely settled himself in what he called his “chair of ease” in the study when her low knock reached him, and she entered.  Her grey eyes were no longer angry, but very resolute.  She closed the door softly, and came straight to the fire.

“Mr. Lorimer,” she said, her voice pitched very low, “I want you to be patient with me just for a minute.  Will you?”

Mr. Lorimer sighed again.  “I am yearning for the refreshment of a little solitary meditation, Mrs. Denys,” he said.

“I shall not keep you,” Avery rejoined steadily.  She stood before him, very pale but wholly composed.  “What I have to say can be said in a very few seconds.  First, with regard to Gracie; the child is so upset that I think any further punishment would make her downright ill.”

“Pooh, my dear Mrs. Denys!” said the Reverend Stephen.

Avery paused a moment.  “Will you try to listen to me with an open mind?” she said.

“I am listening,” said Mr. Lorimer.

“I know she was naughty this morning,” Avery continued.  “I am not trying to defend her behaviour.  But her punishment was a very severe one, and it has so terrified her that at present she can think of nothing else.  Give her time to be sorry!  Please give her time!”