His stern rebuke hurt her exceedingly.

She did not feel that she was doing wrong in yielding to the appeals of her heart in favor of her wayward, ever-offending boy.

Her mother's instinct told her, that he needed kindness, forbearance, and frequent exemption from punishment; and she felt that it was better for him to have this, even though in gaining it for him she acted in violation of her husband's wishes and command--yea, even though her child knew that such was the case.

Sadly was she aware of the fact, that the father's iron-handed severity had nearly crushed affection out of the heart of his child; and that all obedience to him was extorted under fear of punishment.

And she well knew that her interference in his favor, while it could not estrange him from his father more than he was already estranged, would give her greater influence over him for good.