but, papa, Jesus says, 'He that loveth father or mother more than
me, is not worthy of me,' and I must love Jesus best, and keep _his_
commandments _always_. But you bid me say that I am sorry I refused to
break them; and that I will yield implicit obedience to you, even though
you should command me to disobey him. Oh, papa, I cannot do _that_, even
though you should never love me again; even though you should put me to
death."

The cold, stern expression had returned to his face before she had half
finished, and putting her off his knee, he said, in his severest tone,
"Go, disobedient, rebellious child! How often have I told you that you
are too young to judge of such matters, and must leave all that to me,
your father and natural guardian, whom the Bible itself commands you to
obey. I will find means to conquer you yet, Elsie. If affection and mild
measures will not do it, severity shall."

He rose and walked hastily up and down the floor, excited and angry,
while poor Elsie went weeping from the room.

"Is that one of your sisters, my dear?" asked the old gentleman of Enna,
as he saw the sobbing Elsie pass through the hall, on her way up-stairs.

"No; that is brother Horace's daughter," replied Enna scornfully; "she is
a real naughty girl, and won't mind her papa at all."

"Ah!" said the old gentleman gravely, "I am sorry to hear it; but I hope
you will always obey your papa."

"Indeed, my papa lets me do _just_ as I please," said Enna, with a little
toss of her head. "_I_ don't have to mind anybody."

"Ah! then I consider you a very unfortunate child," remarked the old
gentleman, still more gravely; "for it is by no means good for a little
one like you to have too much of her own way."

Mr. Grier--for that was the old gentleman's name--had been much
interested in the little Elsie's appearance. He had noticed the look
of sadness on her fair young face, and conjectured, from something
in the manner of the rest of the family toward her, that she was in
disgrace; yet he was sure there was no stubbornness or self-will in the
expression of that meek and gentle countenance. He began to suspect that
some injustice had been done the little girl, and determined to watch and
see if she were indeed the naughty child she was represented to be, and
if he found her as good as he was inclined to believe, to try to gain
her confidence, and see if he could help her out of her troubles.

But Elsie did not come down again tha