"He told me I must always be in in time to be ready for tea, and he says nothing excuses disobedience; and you know I could have come in without the others; so I feel quite sure I should get nothing but bread for my supper if he were here." "Well, dear, I am very sorry, but if you think it is really your duty to sup on dry bread, we will all honor you for doing it," Mrs.Allison said.
And then the matter dropped, and Elsie quietly ate her slice of bread and drank a little cold water, then went out to play on the lawn with the others.
"Did you ever see such a perfectly conscientious child ?" said Mrs.
Allison to Rose.

"Dear little thing! I could hardly stand it to see her eating that dry bread, when the rest were enjoying all the luxuries of the table." "No, mamma, it fairly made my heart ache.

I shall tell her father all about it when he comes in.

Don't you think, mamma, he is rather too strict and particular with her ?" "I don't know, Rose, dear; I'm afraid she is much better trained than mine; and he certainly is very fond of her, and quite indulgent in some respects." "Fond of her! yes, indeed he is, and she loves him with her whole heart.
Ah! mamma, you don't know how glad it makes me to see it.

The poor little thing seemed to be literally famishing for love when I first knew her." When Elsie had done anything which she knew would displease her father, she never could rest satisfied until she had confessed it and been forgiven.