'"You do not mean to chastise me like a dog, father?"

'"Never address me by that title again, sir, until deep repentance and
a long-continued course of well-doing restore you once more to my love
and favour--though never, never can you again occupy the place you once
held in my heart. You have acted like a felon, and shall receive a
felon's reward."

'"Beware what you do, sir," cried George, frowning in his turn. "Get
your menial to punish me in this degrading manner, and you will repent
it to the last day of your life."

'"Oh, monstrous depravity! Do you dare to threaten me? Take off your
jacket, sir.--Ralph, give him twenty lashes, and don't spare the whip."

'The man drew back. "I cannot strike my master's son."

'"Do as I bid you."

'The boy stood firm as a rock, his lips compressed, his brow rigid, and
his face livid in its ghastly pallor. Turning from his stern parent to
the old man, he said, with an air of calm indifference:

'"I am ready; perform your task. I am not the first victim who has
suffered wrongfully. My Saviour endured a harder scourge; I will learn
patience from His cross."

'"What barefaced wickedness!" groaned the Doctor. "God grant him
repentance, and save his miserable soul."