"You will go to the study and there suffer the penalty for insolence." "Stephen!" broke from Mrs.Lorimer in anguished protest.
"A beastly shame!" cried Gracie vehemently, flinging discretion to the winds; she adored her brother Julian.

"He never spoke a single word!" "Go, Julian!" said Mr.Lorimer.
Julian went, banging the door vigorously behind him.
Then, amid an awful silence, the Vicar turned his scrutiny upon his small daughter.
Gracie stood up under it with all the courage at her disposal, but she was white to the lips before that dreadful gaze passed from her to Avery.
"Mrs.Denys," said Mr.Lorimer, in tones of icy courtesy, "will you oblige me by taking that child upstairs, undressing her, and putting her to bed?
She will remain there until I come." Avery, her task accomplished, turned and faced him.

She was as white as Gracie, but there was a steadfast light in her eyes that showed her wholly unafraid.
"Mr.Lorimer," she said, "with your permission I will deal with Gracie.

She has done wrong, I know.

By-and-bye, she will be sorry and tell you so." Mr.Lorimer smiled sarcastically.