human
Why, how you are trembling! he exclaimed.
gpt
What is the matter?
human
O papa! are you--are you going to punish me for being so naughty this evening?
gpt
That was not my intention in coming in here, he said.
human
But, Lulu, your wilfulness is a cause of great anxiety to me. I hardly know what to do with you. I am very loath to burden our kind friends--Grandpa Dinsmore and Grandma Elsie--with so rebellious and unmanageable a child, for it will be painful to them to be severe with you, and yet I see that you will compel them to it.
gpt
I won't be punished by anybody but you! Nobody else has a right!
human
Yes, my child, I have given them the right, and the only way for you to escape punishment is not to deserve it. And if you prove too troublesome for them, you are to be sent to a boarding-school, and that, you will understand, involves separation from Max and Gracie, and life among total strangers.
gpt
Papa, you wouldn't, you couldn't be so cruel!
human
I hope you will not be so cruel to yourself as to make it necessary, he said.
gpt
I have fondly hoped you were improving, but your conduct to-night shows me that you are still a self-willed, rebellious child.
human
Well, papa, I've wanted a bird on my hat for ever so long, and I believe you would have let me have it, too, if Mamma Vi and Grandma Elsie hadn't said that.
gpt
I shouldn't let you have it, if they were both in favor of it,
human
Why, papa?
gpt
Because of the cruelty it would encourage. And now, Lucilla, I want you to reflect how very kind it is in Grandpa Dinsmore and Grandma Elsie to be willing to take my children in and share with them their own delightful home. You have not the slightest claim upon their kindness, and very few people in their case would have made such an offer. I really feel almost ashamed to accept so much without being able to make some return, even if I knew my children would all behave as dutifully and gratefully as possible. And knowing how likely your conduct is to be the exact reverse of that, I can hardly reconcile it to my conscience to let you go with them to Ion. I am afraid I ought to place you in a boarding-school at once, before I am ordered away.
human
O papa, don't! she begged.
gpt
I'll try to behave better.
human
You must promise more than that, he said;
gpt
Papa, have you said they might punish me?
human
Yes; I have full confidence in their wisdom and kindness. I know they will not abuse the authority I give them, and I have told them they may use any measures with my children that they would with their own in the same circumstances. Are you ready to give the promise I require?
gpt
Papa, it is too hard!
human
The choice is between that and being sent to boarding-school.
gpt
Oh, it's so hard!
human
Not hard at all if you choose to be good, her father said.
gpt
In that case you will have a delightful life at Ion. Do you make the promise?
human
Yes, sir,
gpt
My little daughter, these are tears of pride and stubbornness, sighed her father, passing his hand caressingly over her hair,
human
Papa, she said,
gpt
No, it seems not, when my command is that you obey some one else. My little girl, you need something that I cannot give you; and that is a change of heart. Go to Jesus for it, daughter; ask Him to wash away all your sins in His precious blood and to create in you a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you. He is able and willing to do it, for He says, 'Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.' We will kneel down and ask Him now.
human
Papa, I do love you so, I love you dearly, and I _will_ try to be a better girl,
gpt
I hope so, my darling, he said;
human
I wonder what keeps papa so long,
gpt
Are you awake, Max?
human
Yes, sir, was the cheerful response;
gpt
That is well, for I want a little talk with you,
human
The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.
gpt
It is a dreadful and dangerous sin, my son, he said;
human
Yes, papa, and I--I've done it a good many times. Do you think God will ever forgive me?
gpt
Yes, my son, if you are truly sorry for your sins because committed against God, and confess them with the determination to forsake them, asking forgiveness and help to overcome the evil of your nature, for Jesus' sake, it will be granted you. 'The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.'
human
No day discolored with domestic strife, No jealousy, but mutual truth believ'd, Secure repose and kindness undeceiv'd.