"There now! Why didn't you come when I first spoke. to you, ha?" he said, drawing the child towards him with a quick jerk, so soon as she came within reach of his extended hand. "Say. Why didn't you come Tell me! Aint I your father?"
"Yes, sir," was the timid reply.
"And havn't I taught you that you must obey me?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then why didn't you come, just now, when I called you?"
To this interrogation the little girl made no reply, but looked exceedingly frightened.
"Did you hear what I said?" pursued the father, in a louder voice.
"Yes, sir."
"Then answer me, this instant! Why didn't you come when I called you?"
"Because, I—I—I was afraid," was the timid, hesitating reply.