She did not dare refuse, and had really no very strong disinclination to do so in regard to the first, which was addressed to Grandma Elsie—­a lady so gentle and kind that even proud Lulu was willing to humble herself to her.

But when it came to Edward’s turn her whole soul rose up in rebellion against it.  Yet she dared not say either “I won’t” or “I don’t want to.”  But pausing, with the pen in her fingers: 

“Papa,” she began timidly, “please don’t make me apologize to him; he had no right to talk to me the way he did.”

“I am not so sure of that,” the captain said.  “I don’t blame him for trying to uphold his mother’s authority; and now I think of it, you are to consider yourself under his control in the absence of your mamma and the older persons to whom I have given authority over you.  Begin at once and write what I have told you to.”

When the notes were written, signed, and folded he put them in his pocket, turned and paced the floor.

Lulu, glancing timidly into his face, saw that it was pale and full of pain, but very stern and determined.

“Papa, are you—­are you going to punish me?” she asked, tremulously.  “I mean as you did the other day?”

“I think I must,” he said, pausing beside her, “though it grieves me to the very heart to do it; but you have been disobedient, passionate, and very impertinent; it is quite impossible for me to let you slip.  But you may take your choice between that and being locked up in the bedroom there for twenty-four hours, on bread and water.  Which shall it be?”

“I’d rather take the first, papa,” said Lulu, promptly, “because it will be over in a few minutes, and nobody but ourselves need know anything about it.”

“I made sure you would choose the other,” he said, in some surprise; “yet I think your choice is wise.  Come!”

“Oh, papa, I’m so frightened,” she said, putting her trembling hand in his; “you did hurt me so dreadfully the other time; must you be as severe to-day?”

“My poor child, I am afraid I must,” he said; “a slight punishment seems to avail nothing in your case, and I must do all in my power to make you a good, gentle, obedient child.”

A few minutes later Captain Raymond joined the others on the beach, but Lulu was not with him.  She had been left behind in the bedroom, where she must stay, he told her, until his return.

Everybody seemed glad to see him; but after greeting them all in turn, he drew Violet to a seat a little apart from the others.

Grace followed, of course, keeping close to her father’s side.  “Where is Lulu, papa?” she asked with a look of concern,

“Up at the house.”

“Won’t you let her come down here, papa?  She loves so to be close down by the waves.”

“She may come after a little,” he said, “but not just now.”  Then taking two tiny notes from his pocket:  “Here, Gracie,” he said, “take this to your Grandma Elsie and this to your Uncle Edward.”