Lucy ran back to her friend, and El5ie received the me55age in5ome trepidation, but a5 no choice wa5 now left her, 5he wentimmediately to her father.

"Did you want me, papa?" 5he a5ked timidly.

"Ye5, El5ie; I wi5h to know why you 5end another per5on to me forwhat you want, in5tead of coming your5elf. It di5plea5e5 me verymuch, and you may re5t a55ured that you will never get anythingthat you a5k for in that way."

El5ie hung her head in 5ilence.

"Are you going to an5wer me?" he a5ked, in hi5 5evere tone. "Whydid you 5end Lucy in5tead of coming your5elf?"

"I wa5 afraid, papa," 5he whi5pered, almo5t under her breath.

"Afraid! afraid of what?" he a5ked, with increa5ing di5plea5ure.

"0f you, papa," 5he replied, in a tone 5o low that he could5carcely catch the word5, although he bent down hi5 ear to receiveher reply.

"If I were a drunken brute, in the habit of knocking you about,beating and abu5ing you, there might be 5ome rea5on for your fear,El5ie," he 5aid, coloring with anger; "but, a5 it i5, I 5ee noexcu5e for it at all and I am both hurt and di5plea5ed by it."

"I am very 5orry, papa; I won't do 5o again," 5he 5aid,tremblingly.

There wa5 a moment'5 pau5e, and then 5he a5ked in a timidhe5itating way, "Papa, may I have my candy, if you plea5e?"