“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, dear papa, don’t send me away from you!  I should die!” she cried in accents of terror and despair, throwing her arms around his neck and clinging to him with a convulsive grasp.  “Punish me in any other way you choose; but oh! don’t send me where I cannot see you.”

He gently disengaged her arms, and without returning her caress, said gravely, and almost sadly, “Go now to your room.  I have not yet decided what course to take, but you have only to submit, to escape all punishment.”

Elsie retired, weeping bitterly, passing Adelaide as she went out.

“What is the matter now?” asked Adelaide of her brother, who was striding impatiently up and down the room.

“Nothing but the old story,” he replied; “she is the most stubborn child I ever saw.  Strange!” he added musingly, “I once thought her rather too yielding.  Adelaide,” he said, sitting down by his sister, and leaning his head upon his hand, with a deep-drawn sigh, “I am terribly perplexed!  This estrangement is killing us both.  Have you noticed how thin and pale she is growing?  It distresses me to see it; but what can I do?—­give up to her I cannot; it is not once to be thought of.  I am sorry I ever began the struggle, but since it is begun she must and shall submit; and it has really become a serious question with me, whether it would not be the truest kindness just to conquer her thoroughly and at once, by an appeal to the rod.”

“Oh no, Horace, don’t! don’t think of such a thing, I beg of you!” exclaimed Adelaide, with tears in her eyes; “such a delicate, sensitive little creature as she is, I do believe it would quite break her heart to be subjected to so ignominious a punishment; surely you could adopt some other measure less revolting to one’s feelings, and yet perhaps quite as effectual.  I couldn’t bear to have you do it.  I would try everything else first.”