t your
elders. Now, then, William, fetch that child out."

"Diana, my dear, you are a very naughty little girl; come here," said
Mr. Dolman.

Diana would not have minded in the least defying Aunt Jane, but there
was something in Uncle William's slow tones, particularly in a sort of
regret which seemed to tremble in his voice, and which Diana felt
without understanding, which forced her to obey. She scrambled slowly
out, her hair tumbled over her forehead, her lower lip drooping.

"Suppose I have a little talk with her, Jane; suppose she says she is
sorry and never does it again," said Mr. Dolman.

"Oh, yes, yes, Uncle William!" said Diana, really terrified for the
first time in her life. "Yes, I's sossy--I's awfu' sossy, Aunt Jane.
It's all wight now, Aunt Jane; Diana's sossy."

"You shall be a great deal more sorry before I have done with you,"
said Mrs. Dolman, who had no idea of letting the culprit off. "Now,
then, William, do your duty."

"But it's all wight," said Diana, gazing with puzzled eyes up into her
aunt's face. "I's been a bad girl, but I's sossy; it's all wight, I
say. Naughty wod, go 'way, naughty wod."

She tried to push the rod out of Mr. Dolman's hand.

"Really, Jane, she is only five years old, and--and a poor little
orphan, you know."

"Yes," said Diana eagerly, "I's a poor orphan, only a baby, five years
old, awfu' young, and I's sossy, and it's all wight now. Go 'way, Aunt
Jane; go 'way, naughty Aunt Jane; I's sossy."

"William," said Mrs. Dolman, "if you refuse to give that child the
necessary punishment which is to make her a Christian character, I
shall simply wash my hands of her. Now, then, miss, get on my lap.
William, do your duty."

Poor Mr. Dolman, pale to the very lips, was forced to comply. Down
went the rod on the fat little form--shriek after shriek uttered
Diana. At last, more from terror than pain, she lay quiet on Mrs.
Dolman's knee. The moment she did so, Mr. Dolman threw the rod on the
floor.

"It's a horrid business," he said. "I hate corporal punishment. We
have hurt the child. Here, give her to me."

"Nonsense, William! She is only pretending."

But this was not the case. The fright, joined to the state of
excitement and heat which she had been previously in, proved too much
for the defiant little spirit, and Diana had really fainted.

Mrs. Dolman was frightened now, and rushed for cold water. She bathed
the child's forehead, and soon had the satisfaction o