She breathed more freely.
"Papa, would you have made me go back to that horrid man after he struck me?"
"It is not worth while to consider that question at this late day. Now, what else?" he asked.
"Papa, I spoiled one of those valuable books of engravings belonging to grandpa Dinsmore; no, I didn't exactly spoil it myself, but I took it out on the veranda without leave, and carelessly left it where Rosie's dog could get at it; and he scratched and gnawed and tore it, till it is almost ruined."
"I shall replace it at once," he said. "I am sorry you were so careless, and particularly that you took the book out there without permission; but that was not half so bad as flying into a passion, even if you hurt nothing or no one but yourself."
"But I did get into a passion, papa, at the dog and at Rosie," she acknowledged, in a frightened tone, and blushing more deeply than before.
"I am deeply grieved to hear it," he said.
"And won't you have to punish me for that, and for getting the book spoiled?"
"No: didn't I tell you just now that all accounts were settled up to the other night?"
"Papa, you're very, very kind," she said, putting her arm round his neck, and laying her head on his shoulder.