You certainly can find nothing to blame yourself with in them." "Yes; I governed you too much.

It would probably have ruined a less amiable temper, a less loving heart, than yours.

It is well for parents to be sometimes a little blind to trivial faults.

And I was so strict, so stern, so arbitrary, so severe.

My dear, be more lenient to your child.
But of course she will never find sternness in either you or her father." "I think not, papa; unless she proves very head-strong; but you surely cannot mean to advise us not to require the prompt, cheerful, implicit obedience you have always exacted from all your children ?" "No, daughter; though you might sometimes excuse or pardon a little forgetfulness when the order has not been of vital importance," he answered, with a smile.
There was a moment's silence: then looking affectionately into her father's face, Elsie said, "I am so glad, papa, that we have had this talk.