True, she had been willful at times, but he had not minded it when it was confined to the little things of childhood, and never having had any other children, it had been a pleasure to pet her and indulge her in everything.
He had hitherto always laughed when she opposed him, and often teased her for the sake of arousing her antagonism, which made her appear so pretty and brilliant.
Now, however, it was another matter.
She was setting up her will in stubborn opposition to his, and upon matters of vital importance to him, too.
He had no notion of allowing her to compromise herself by befriending a miserable criminal, and he was bound to put a stop to it in some way.
“Besides what?” he repeated, as she did not immediately reply.
She looked at him askance, as if she was somewhat doubtful of the propriety of telling him anything more.
But at length she said:
“You know that Uncle Richard was also deeply interested in, and entertained a high regard for Earle——”
“Please adopt a different way of speaking of him; I do not like you to use his name so familiarly,” interrupted Mr. Dalton, with an angry tap of his foot.