Sir Edward was in a dilemma; children's punishments were quite unknown to him. Milly seemed to guess at his difficulty.
"How were you punished when you were a little boy, uncle?"
"I used to be well thrashed. Many is the whipping that I have had from my father!"
"What is a whipping—like you gave Fritz when he went into the game wood?"
"Yes."
There was a pause. The child clasped her little hands tighter, and set her lips firmer, as she saw before her eyes a strong arm dealing very heavy strokes with a riding-whip. Then she said in an awe-struck tone,—
"And do you think that is how you had better punish me?"
Sir Edward smiled grimly as he looked at the baby figure standing so erect before him.
"No," he said; "I do not think you are a fit subject for that kind of treatment."
Milly heaved a sigh of relief.