"
"They must attend to the work, of course, and if they won't do so
willingly, must under compulsion; but there are milder measures than this
brutal flogging."
"What do you prescribe, Miss Dinsmore?"
"Deprive them of some privilege, or lock them up on bread and water for a
few days," Elsie answered; then turned an appealing look upon her father,
who had as yet played the part of a mere listener.
"I have never allowed any flogging on my estate," he observed, addressing
Spriggs, "and I cannot think it at all necessary."
There was a moment of silence, Spriggs sitting looking into the fire, a
half-smile playing about his lips; then turning to Elsie, "I thought,
miss, you'd a mind this evening to dismiss me on the spot," he remarked
inquiringly.
She flushed slightly, but replied with dignity, "If you will comply with
my directions, sir, pledging yourself never again to be so cruel, I have
no desire to dismiss you from my service."
"All right then, miss. I promise, and shall still do the best I can for
your interests; but if they suffer because I'm forbidden to use the lash,
please remember it's not my fault."
"I am willing to take the risk," she answered, intimating with a motion of
her hand that she considered the interview at an end; whereupon he rose
and bowed himself out.
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