And then his eyes fell upon Gracie, clinging fast to Avery's hand.
"Grace," he said, in his clear, definite tones, "come here!" The child gave a great start and shrank against Avery's shoulder.

"Oh no!" she whispered.

"No!" "Come here!" repeated Mr.Lorimer.
He extended his hand, but Gracie only shrank further away.

She was trembling violently, so violently that Avery felt impelled to pass a sustaining arm around her.
"Come, my child!" said the Vicar, the majestic composure of his features gradually yielding to a look of dawning severity.
"Go, dear!" whispered Avery.
"I don't want to," gasped Gracie.
"I shall not punish you," her father said, "unless I find you disobedient or still unrepentant." "Darling, go!" Avery urged softly into her ear.

"It'll be all right now." But Gracie, shaking from head to foot and scarcely able to stand, only clung to her the faster, and in a moment she began agitatedly to cry.
Mr.Lorimer's hand fell to his side.