Tessa had ignored the threat for the third time he carried it out with
such thoroughness that even Netta was startled into remonstrance.

"You are quite right to keep the child in order," she said. "But you
needn't treat her like that. I call it brutal."

"You can call it what you like," said Ermsted. "I did it quite as much
for your benefit as for hers."

Netta tossed her head. "I'm not a sentimental mother," she observed.
"You won't punish me in that way. I object to a commotion, that's all."

He took her by the shoulder. "Do you?" he said. "Then I advise you to be
mighty careful, for, I warn you, my blood is up."

She made a face at him, albeit there was a quality of menace in his
hold. "Are you going to treat me as you have just treated Tessa?"

His teeth were clenched upon his lower lip. "Don't be a little devil,
Netta!" he said.

She snapped her fingers. "Then don't you be a big fool, most noble
Richard! It doesn't pay to bully a woman. She can always get her own
back one way or another. Remember that!"

He gripped her suddenly by both arms. "By Heaven!" he said passionately.
"I'll do worse than beat you if you dare to trifle with me!"

She tried to laugh, but his look frightened her. She turned as white as
the muslin wrap she wore. "Richard--Dick--don't," she gasped helplessly.