He loved his little companion, and never was happier than when in her society.
Naturally, therefore, he sought it on every occasion, and when the positive interdiction of their intercourse came, the child felt that a duty was imposed upon him that was impossible of fulfillment.
Young as he was, he could endure punishment, but not give up his little friend.

Advantage was therefore taken of every opportunity to be with her that offered.

Punishments of various kinds were inflicted, but they acted only as temporary restraints.
As to this little girl herself, let it be understood, Mr.Howland had no personal objection.

He had never seen anything that was wrong in her, and had never heard a word of evil spoken against her.

The simple, yet all-embracing defect that appertained to her was his dislike of her father; and this dislike had its chief foundation in a wrong estimate of his character, the result of his own narrow prejudices.