aid, bending down, and speaking in a stern whisper, "you
_must control_ yourself."

And with a mighty effort she swallowed down her tears and sobs.

He took no further notice of her until they were again at their own door,
when, lifting her from the carriage, he took her by the hand and led her
to his own room. Shutting the door, he said sternly, "Elsie, what did you
mean by behaving so in church? I was ashamed of you."

"I could not help it, papa; indeed I could not," replied the little girl,
again bursting into tears.

"What were you crying about? tell me at once," he said, sitting down and
taking off her bonnet, while she stood trembling before him.

"Oh, papa! dear, _dear_ papa!" she cried, suddenly throwing her arms
round his neck, and laying her cheek to his; "I love you so much, that
when I looked at you, and saw how pale and thin you were, I couldn't help
crying."

"I do not understand, nor want such love, Elsie," he said gravely,
putting her from him; "it is not the right kind, or it would lead you
to be docile and obedient. You certainly deserve punishment for your
behavior this morning, and I am much inclined to say that you shall not
go to church again for some time."

"Please, papa, don't say that," she replied tearfully; "I will try never
to do so again."

"Well," he replied, after a moment's reflection, "I shall punish you
to-day by depriving you of your dinner, and if you repeat the offence I
shall whip you."

Elsie's little face flushed crimson.

"I know it is an ignominious punishment, Elsie," said her father, "and
I feel very loth to try it with you, but I greatly fear I shall be
compelled to do so before I can subdue your rebellious spirit; it will
be the _very last_ resort, however. Go now to your room."

This last threat might almost be said to have given Elsie a new dread;
for though his words on several former occasions had seemed to imply
something of the sort, she had always put away the thought as that of
something too dreadful to happen. But now he had spoken plainly, and the
trial to her seemed inevitable, for she could never give the required
promise, and she knew, too, that he prided himself on keeping his word,
to the very letter.

Poor little girl! she felt very much like a martyr in prospect of torture
or the stake. For a time she was in deep distress; but she carried _this_
trouble, like all the rest, to her Saviour, and found relief; many
precious, comforting texts bein