of the punishment, and without pausing to reflect, or to remember
Hagar's warning, Edna interposed:

"Oh! please don't whip him any more! It is cruel to beat him so!"

Probably he did not hear her, and the blows fell thicker than
before. She drew near, and, as the merciless arm was raised to
strike, she seized it with both hands, and swung on with her whole
weight, repeating her words. If one of his meek, frightened sheep
had sprung at his throat to throttle him, Mr. Murray would not have
been more astounded. He shook her off, threw her from him, but she
carried the stick in her grasp. "D--n you! how dare you interfere!
What is it to you if I cut his throat, which I mean to do!"

"That will be cruel and sinful, for he does not know it is wrong;
and besides, he did not bite me."

She spoke resolutely, and for the first time ventured to look
straight into his flashing eyes.

"Did not bite you! Did not he worry down and mangle one of my finest
Southdowns? It would serve you right for your impertinent meddling,
if I let him tear you limb from limb!"

"He knows no better," she answered, firmly.

"Then, by G-d, I will teach him! Hand me that stick!"

"Oh! please, Mr. Murray! You have nearly put out one of his eyes
already!"