He caught one of my wrists and held it cruelly as he said, “Listen to me, you silly child. I have every right over you, because you're not of age and your parents turned you over to me. Now, if you're sensible and obey me, you won't need to worry about your future. If you run away, you haven't any training to earn your living, and you'd wind up as a girl in a house for every man to have you. But I don't intend to discuss it with you any further. A moment ago, you swore you'd obey me-if this is your idea of obedience, I am going to call the servants and have them tie you up while I use, not a strap but a whip on your naked bottom. Do you prefer that, Lucille? And you'll be whipped every day till you're ready to obey me. As for your parents, even if you had the chance to tell them, which you won't, I can always tell them I intend to marry you, which makes it perfectly proper. Now are you going to obey me, you impertinent little girl, or shall I ring for the servants?” And he twisted my wrists till I writhed in pain, his eyes flashing and cruelly glowing. I was in terror of him.

“Oh, Mr. Raleigh, don't hurt me-oh, I'm afraid-please. Y-yes if… if… I… h-have to… I… I'll do it… only don't whip or hurt me, that's all I ask,” I sobbed in tears.

“That's better-though you still have a good deal to learn about the way a good obedient girl does what she's told. Now take your hands away and make room for me,” he said.

“Oh, won't you turn off the lights?” I gasped, turning red with shame as I saw him move to a little table beside the bed and take out a small packet, extracting a thing like a rubber thumb, while he looked at me shrinking on the bed.