Dick and the gal?" he said, as he looked round the little
kitchen, after flinging himself into a chair.

"They're gone to bed," said his wife, timidly, not venturing to look up
from her work.

"Then tell 'em to get up."

"I--I dunno whether it 'ud be good for Tiny," faltered the poor woman;
"she's got a cold now, and--and----"

"Are you going to call 'em up, or shall I go and lug 'em out of bed?"
demanded the angry, tipsy man.

"But, Coomber," began his wife.

"There, don't stand staring like that, but do as I tell you,"
interrupted the fisherman; "I won't have 'em go sneaking off to bed just
as I come home. I heard that little 'un say one day she was afraid of me
sometimes. Afraid, indeed; I'll teach her to be afraid," he repeated,
working himself into a passion over some maudlin recollection of the
children's talk in the summer-time.

His wife saw it would be of no use reasoning with him in his present
mood, and so went to rouse the children without further parley. They
were not asleep, and so were prepared for the summons, as they had
overheard what had been said.

"Oh mammy, must I come?" said Tiny, her teeth chattering with fear, as
she slipped out of bed.

"Don't be afraid, deary--don't let him see you're frightened," whispered
Mrs. Coomber; "slip your clothes on as quick as you can, and come and
sing 'Star of Peace' to him; then he'll drop off to sleep, and you can
come to bed again."

"I will--I will try," said the child, trying to force back her tears and
speak bravely. But in spite of all her efforts to be brave, and not look
as though she was frightened, she crept into the kitchen looking cowed
and half-bewildered with terror, and before she could utter a word of
her song, Coomber pounced upon her.

"What do yer look like that for?" he demanded; "what business have you
to be frightened of me?"

Tiny turned her white face towards him, and ventured to look up.
"I--I----"

"She's going to sing 'Star of Peace,'" interposed Mrs. Coomber; "let her
come and sit over here by the fire."

"You let her alone," roared her husband; "she's a-going to do what I
tell her. Come here," he called, in a still louder tone. Tiny ventured a
step nearer, but did not go close to him.

"Are you coming?" he roared again; then, stretching out his hand, he
seized her by the arm, and dragged her towards him, giving her a violent
shake as he did so. "There--now sing!" he commanded, placing her against
his knee.

The