There was a moment of silence, Spriggs sitting looking into the fire, a
half-smile playing about his lips; then turning to Elsie, "I thought,
miss, you'd a mind this evening to dismiss me on the spot," he remarked
inquiringly.

She flushed slightly, but replied with dignity, "If you will comply with
my directions, sir, pledging yourself never again to be so cruel, I have
no desire to dismiss you from my service."

"All right then, miss. I promise, and shall still do the best I can for
your interests; but if they suffer because I'm forbidden to use the lash,
please remember it's not my fault."

"I am willing to take the risk," she answered, intimating with a motion of
her hand that she considered the interview at an end; whereupon he rose
and bowed himself out.

"Now, papa, for our tour of inspection," she cried gayly, rising as she
spoke, and ringing for a servant to carry the light. "But first please
tell me if I was sufficiently moderate."

"You did very well," he answered, smiling. "You take to the role of
mistress much more naturally than I expected."

"Yet it does seem very odd to me to be giving orders while you sit by a
mere looker-on. But, dear papa, please remember I am still your own child,
and ready to submit to your authority, whenever you see fit to exert it."

"I know it, my darling," he said, passing an arm about her waist, as they