"I know, dear," answered the perplexed mother. "I know that Emily is
a good girl. But--"

"Then why won't father let me play with her?" was Andrew's quick
interrogation.

"He doesn't wish you to do so, my child, and you must be an
obedient, good little boy, and then your father will love you."

"He don't love me!" said Andrew in a tone and with an emphasis that
startled his mother.

"Oh yes, he does! He loves you very much. Isn't he your father?"
replied Mrs. Howland in an earnest voice.

"He wouldn't have whipped me so hard if he had loved me! I'm sure he
wouldn't, mother."

And tears gushed from the eyes of the child at the remembrance of
his father's stern face, and the pain he had suffered.

"Andrew musn't speak so of his father," said Mrs. Howland in a
chiding voice. "Andrew was disobedient; that was the reason why his
father punished him. Andrew must be a good boy."

"I ain't bad, mother," sobbed the child. "I'm sure it ain't bad to
play with Emily. She never does anything naughty."

"It is bad if your father forbids your doing so," replied Mrs.
Howland.