Then he added in an excited voice, "go and bring him home immediately!" The nurse left the room and soon returned with the child.

In his face was a look of blended fear, anger and resolution.
"Where have you been, sir ?" sternly asked Mr.Howland.
The child made no answer.
"Do you hear me, sir ?" A slight motion of shrinking and alarm might have been seen in the little fellow as the angry voice of his father fell upon his ears.
But he did not look up or make a reply.
"Will you answer me?
Stubborn boy!" exclaimed Mr.Howland, now catching hold tightly of Andrew's arm.
"Why don't you answer your father, my child ?" said the mother, in a voice that was tender and appealing.

The tone reached the boy's heart, and he lifted his large blue eyes from the floor and fixed them on his father's threatening countenance.
"Say! Where have you been ?" repeated Mr.Howland.
"To see Emily," returned Andrew.
"Haven't I forbidden you to go there ?" The child's eyes sunk again to the floor.
"Say! Haven't I forbidden you to go there ?" But there was no answer.
"Do you hear me ?" "Andrew! Andrew! why don't you answer your father ?" came in distressed and tremulous tones from his mother's lips.
Mr.Howland was about turning to chide sharply his wife for this interference, when Andrew again raised his eyes and said-- "Yes, sir." "Then why have you disobeyed me ?" The boy's eyes fell again, and he remained silent.
"I'll break you of this if I break your heart!" said Mr.Howland severely, and, as he spoke, he almost lifted the child from the floor with his strong arm as he led him from the room.

A groan issued from the mother's heart and she covered her face and wept.
By the time Mr.Howland reached the chamber above, to which he repaired with Andrew, the excitement of his anger had subsided; but not his stern purpose in regard to his child, who had again disobeyed him.

The absolute necessity of obedience in children he recognized in all its length and breadth.