Who was it ?" "Your new wife," muttered the angry child.
The captain was silent for a moment, trying to gain control over himself.
Then he said calmly, but not less sternly than he had spoken before, "Come here." Lulu obeyed, looking pale and frightened.
He leaned down over her, unclasped the coral ornaments from her neck and arms, and handing them to Violet, said, "My dear, I must ask you to take these back.

I cannot allow her to keep or wear them." "O Levis!" began Vi in a tone of entreaty; but a look and a gentle "Hush, love!" silenced her.
"Now, Lucilla," he said, resuming his stern tone of command, "ask your mamma's pardon for your impertinence, and tell her you will never be guilty of the like again." "I won't!" exclaimed Lulu passionately.
At that, her father, with a look of utter astonishment at her presumption, took her by the hand and led her into the house, upstairs and to her own room.
"My daughter," he said, "I must be obeyed.

I could not have believed you would be so naughty and disobedient so soon after my return to you, for I thought you loved me." He paused for a reply, and Lulu burst out with passionate vehemence, "You don't love me, papa! I knew you wouldn't when you got a new wife.

I knew she'd steal all your love away from your own children!" In that moment of fierce, ungovernable anger all Vi's sweet kindness was forgotten and old prejudices returned in full force.
The captain was too much shocked and astonished to speak for a moment.

He had not dreamed that his child possessed so terrible a temper.
"You were never more mistaken, Lulu," he said at length in a moved tone; "I never loved my children better than I love them now.