"
"Then if to-morrow she refuses to finish that interrupted lesson, you
would have me simply report the fact to you?"
"No, sir; even that will be quite unnecessary; she will tell me herself.
I am proud to be able to say of her that she is a perfectly truthful and
honest child."
"I am glad to learn that she has at least one virtue as an offset to her
very serious faults," observed the professor, dryly, then rising, "Allow
me to bid you good-evening, sir," and with that he took his departure.
Mr. Dinsmore saw him to the outer door, then returning, began pacing the
floor with arms folded on his breast and a heavy frown on his brow.
But presently Elsie and Violet came in, both looking anxious and
disturbed, and stopping his walk he sat down with them and reported all
that had passed during the call of Professor Manton; after which they
held a consultation in regard to the means to be taken to induce Lulu to
be submissive and obedient.
"Shall we not try mild measures at first, papa?" Elsie asked with a look
of entreaty.
"I approve of that course," he answered; "but what shall they be? Have
you anything to suggest?"
"Ah," she sighed, "it goes hard with me to have her disciplined at all;
why will she not be good without it, poor, dear child!"
"Let us try reasoning, coaxing, and persuading," suggested Violet, with
some hesitation.
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