When he found that no one had sent for him, but that the child had come of her own accord, he refused to go.
He did not believe that the man was dying, and he did not intend to step aside one inch from the position he had taken.

For seven years he had kept the vow he made when he swore to be a stranger to his daughter.

He would keep it for seventy times seven years if need be.
She looked at him perfectly bewildered.

She had been so accustomed to his humouring her slightest whims, that it had never occurred to her he would fail to help in a time of such distress.
"Why, gran'fathah," she began, her lips trembling piteously.

Then her whole expression changed.