"I shall choose my own method of speaking. Why did you not say what you knew I wished you to say?"
"I was afraid I didn't know but he would think what wasn't true."
"That is precisely what I wish him and all the world to think. I will have no difference made, Ellen, either by them or by you. Now lift up your head and listen to me," said he, taking both her hands. "I lay my commands upon you, whenever the like questions may be asked again, that you answer simply according to what I have told you, without any explanation or addition. It is true, and if people draw conclusions that are not true, it is what I wish. Do you understand me?"
Ellen bowed.
"Will you obey me?"
She answered again in the same mute way.
He ceased to hold her at arms length, and sitting down in her chair drew her close to him, saying more kindly
"You must not displease me, Ellen."
"I had no thought of displeasing you, Sir," said Ellen, bursting into tears; "and I was very sorry for it last night. I did not mean to disobey you; I only hesitated."
"Hesitate no more. My commands may serve to remove the cause of it. You are my daughter, Ellen, and I am your father. Poor child," said he, for Ellen was violently agitated; "I don't believe I shall have much difficulty with you."