"I threw up my arms with a shriek.
"He seemed to love the sound.
"'You do not enjoy the fruits of your actions,' said he. 'You love your old father so dearly.'
"I held out my hands; I entreated; I implored.
"'Do not—do not look on me like this. Some dreadful thought is in your mind—some dreadful revenge. Do not cherish it; do not make my already ruined life a worse torture to me. Let me have help, let me send for a doctor——'
"But his sternly lifted finger was already pointing at the door.
"'You have stayed too long,' he muttered. 'Next time you will barely look in, and leave without a word.'
"I crouched, he cowed me so, and then fled, this time to find Emma, Doris, some one.
"They were both huddled in the hall below. They had heard our voices and were terrified at the sound.
"'Don't you think he is very ill?' asked Emma. 'Don't you think we ought to have the doctor come, in spite of his commands to the contrary?'