And then, quite inconsistently, he blurted out, "Father!" His worry was now in her eyes.

"But father is so good and kind, Joe," she began.

"Why don't you try to please him?
He does n't ask much of you, and it 's all for your own good.

It 's not as though you were a fool, like some boys.

If you would only study a little bit--" "That 's it! Lecturing!" he exploded, tearing his hand roughly away.