Mrs. Coomber smiled and sighed as she heard Tiny whisper this to Dick. She, too, had often wished something similar--or, at least, that her husband could do without whisky. Now, as the supply of wild fowl steadily increased, he came home more sullen than ever. His return from Fellness grew to be a dread even to Tiny at last; and she and Dick used to creep off to bed just before the time he was expected to return, leaving Bob and Tom to bear the brunt of whatever storm might follow. He seldom noticed their absence, until one night, when, having drunk rather more than usual, he was very cross on coming in, and evidently on the look-out for something to make a quarrel over. "Where's Dick and the gal?" he said, as he looked round the little kitchen, after flinging himself into a chair. "They're gone to bed," said his wife, timidly, not venturing to look up from her work. "Then tell 'em to get up." "I--I dunno whether it 'ud be good for Tiny," faltered the poor woman; "she's got a cold now, and--and----" "Are you going to call 'em up, or shall I go and lug 'em out of bed?" demanded the angry, tipsy man. "But, Coomber," began his wife. "There, don't stand staring like that, but do as I tell you," interrupted the fisherman; "I won't have 'em go sneaking off to bed just as I come home. I heard that little 'un say one day she was afraid of me sometimes. Afraid, indeed; I'll teach her to be afraid," he repeated, working himself into a passion over some maudlin recollection of the children's talk in the summer-time. His wife saw it would be of no use reasoning with him in his present mood, and so went to rouse the children without further parley. They were not asleep, and so were prepared for the summons, as they had overheard what had been said. "Oh mammy, must I come?" said Tiny, her teeth chattering with fear, as she slipped out of bed. "Don't be afraid, deary--don't let him see you're frightened," whispered Mrs. Coomber; "slip your clothes on as quick as you can, and come and sing 'Star of Peace' to him; then he'll drop off to sleep, and you can come to bed again." "I will--I will try," said the child, trying to force back her tears and speak bravely. But in spite of all her efforts to be brave, and not look as though she was frightened, she crept into the kitchen looking cowed and half-bewildered with terror, and before she could utter a word of her song, Coomber pounced upon her. "What do yer look like that for?" he demanded; "what business have you to be frightened of me?" Tiny turned her white face towards him, and ventured to look up. "I--I----" "She's going to sing 'Star of Peace,'" interposed Mrs. Coomber; "let her come and sit over here by the fire." "You let her alone," roared her husband; "she's a-going to do what I tell her. Come here," he called, in a still louder tone. Tiny ventured a step nearer, but did not go close to him.