Can it be wondered at that for a moment Elsie wavered?
On the one hand she saw her father's fond affection, indulgent kindness, and loving caresses; on the other, banishment from his love, perhaps from home, cold, stern, harsh words and looks; and what more might be meant by the very severe measures threatened, she trembled to think.
For a moment she was silent, for a mighty struggle was going on in her heart.

It was hard, _very_ hard, to give up her father's love.

But the love of Jesus!--ah, that was more precious still! The struggle was past.
"Papa," she said, raising an earnest, tearful little face to his, and speaking in tones tremulous with emotion, "dear, _dear_ papa, I do love you so very, _very_ much, and I do want to be to you a good, obedient child; but, papa, Jesus says, 'He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me,' and I must love Jesus best, and keep _his_ commandments _always_.

But you bid me say that I am sorry I refused to break them; and that I will yield implicit obedience to you, even though you should command me to disobey him.

Oh, papa, I cannot do _that_, even though you should never love me again; even though you should put me to death." The cold, stern expression had returned to his face before she had half finished, and putting her off his knee, he said, in his severest tone, "Go, disobedient, rebellious child! How often have I told you that you are too young to judge of such matters, and must leave all that to me, your father and natural guardian, whom the Bible itself commands you to obey.