128 Turnaside Cottage.

thing that is not quite right and good, that I have
acted as I did.”

He did not strike me, as I thought he was going
to do; but he took me by the arm with so stern a
grip, that the black mark remained for many a day.
Ido not think he knew it, or meant to hurt me.
He led me towards my room.

“Father, give up those men that are your com-
panions,” I went on, “and let us live with one
another, you and I; we will go away to some new
place, if you like, and we will live together, and be
happier than we have ever been yet.”

I doubt whether he heard me. Ile pushed me
into my room, saying, “ You will stay there,” and
left me. Presently he returned and put half a loaf
of bread and a pitcher of water inside the door. I
sprang towards him, entreating to be heard, but he
closed the door quickly; and after fumbling for
some time outside it, he went away without a word.

I hardly know how the day passed. I could hear
my father’s step from time to time, and now and
then as he went by I called to him from the window,
but he never looked up. I tried to pray, to read,
to repeat hymns, to employ myself in some way; but
it was impossible. One or two of my lesson-books
lay on the old box that served me for a table, but
the sight of them only brought Mr. Hurst to my