“Here, Julia!” was uttered with no unkindly intent; but the call was like a command—an imperious command, such as would be given to a dog.
The child was nearly close to him when he gave the paper a sharp rustle, and she sprang back.
“Pish!” he exclaimed, laughing unpleasantly, “what a silly little girl you are! Did you think I was going to strike you?”
“N-no, papa,” said the child nervously.
“Then why did you flinch away? Are you afraid of me?”
The child looked at him intently for a few moments, and then said softly:
“I don’t know.”
“Here, Thisbe,” said Hallam, frowning, “I’ll see to that. You can go now. Leave Miss Julia here.”
“Mayn’t I go with Thisbe, papa?” said the child eagerly.
“No; stay with me. I want to talk to you. Come here.”