“I hope that will prove sufficient,” he said; “it pains me to have to inflict even that, for it has been a delight to me to see the pleasure you have taken in your pony. But I must train you to obedience, for that is according to God’s command to me as a parent. You have told me that you are sorry for your bad behavior to your mamma as well as to me. I want you to make the same acknowledgment to her.”
“Papa, I do hate to do that. Can’t you tell her so for me?”
“I wish her to hear it from your own lips; and if you are really as sorry for your misconduct as you profess to be, you will do as I bid you without my having to resort to compulsion.”
He rose as he spoke, then taking her hand, led her to Violet, who was sitting in her boudoir.
On seeing them enter she instantly conjectured what was coming, and sent an entreating glance, on Lulu’s behalf, up into her husband’s face. But he ignored it.
“Lulu has something to say to you, my dear,” he said, and the little girl, coloring deeply and keeping her eyes upon the carpet, faltered out her apology.
“Mamma Vi, I’m sorry I spoke so disrespectfully to you. Please forgive me and I’ll try not to do so any more.”
“Dear child,” Violet responded, taking Lulu’s free hand and kissing her affectionately, “I should by no means have required an apology from you. The offense was but a slight one, is entirely forgiven, and shall be forgotten as soon as possible.”
“My love, you are very kind to make so light of the offense,” remarked the captain, “but I consider it a serious one, and shall be very greatly displeased if there is ever a repetition of it. Both your own lovely character and the position I have given you in relation to my children, entitle you to respectful treatment from them, and they must yield it.”
“I have seldom had any reason to complain of their behavior to me,” replied Violet; “they are dear children and I can truly say that I love them every one.”