“However, by putting a few questions to some of the little guests, I have since learned enough to fill me with indignation at the treatment to which my child has been subjected, even during the last two weeks; and now the occurrences of this afternoon have put the finishing stroke to all this, and I cannot any longer feel that my child is safe where Arthur is.  It is a great mercy that she escaped being killed or crippled for life,” and he dropped his face into his hands and shuddered.

“Don’t, Horace, my son,” his father said kindly, laying his hand on his shoulder.  “I don’t like to see you give way so.  It is not worth while troubling ourselves about what might have been, and we will take measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.

“But you mustn’t think of leaving us to set up a separate establishment, unless you are intending to marry again, and I don’t believe you are.”

Mr. Dinsmore shook his head.

“Nothing of the kind,” he said; “but I must protect my child; she has no one else to look to for protection, or sympathy, or love—­my poor little one!—­and it would be hard indeed if she could not have them from me.”

“So it would, Horace, certainly.  I am afraid we have none of us treated the poor little thing quite as kindly as we might, but I really was not aware that she had been so much abused, and shall certainly speak to Mrs. Dinsmore about it.  And Arthur shall be sent away to school, as you have suggested.  It is what I have been wanting to do for some time, for he is getting quite beyond Miss Day; but his mother has always opposed it, and I have foolishly given up to her for peace sake.  I set my foot down now, however, and he shall go.  He deserves it richly, the young rascal! such a base, cowardly act as to attack a little girl, big, strong boy that he is!  I’m ashamed of him.  You, Horace, were a wild, headstrong fellow, but I never knew you do a mean or cowardly thing; you were always above it.”

“I hope so, indeed, sir.  But now, to go back to the present business, do you not think it would be well to call all the young people together and have a thorough investigation of this affair?  I have promised Elsie that she shall not be forced to speak, but I hope we may be able to learn from the others all that we need to know.”

“Yes, yes, Horace, we will do so at once!” replied his father, ringing the bell.  “They must be all through with their tea by this time, and we will invite them into the drawing-room, and cross-question them until we get to the bottom of the whole thing.”

A servant answered the bell, and received directions to request—­on his master’s behalf—­all the guests, both old and young, as well as every member of the family, to give their attendance in the drawing-room for a few moments.

“Stay, father,” said Horace, “possibly Arthur might be induced to confess, and so spare himself and us the pain of a public exposure; had we not better send for him first?”