But there is no hiding place for a
child from a brute parent. The punishment is as inevitable and as
fearsome as from the hand of God.
No; there is no other terror so awful. And, one likes to think,
there is no other punishment in the next world so severe as that
meted out to the torturers of little children. For this hope's
basis there is the solemn warning voiced by the All-pitying
Friend of children;--a threat which, apparently, was unfamiliar
to Ruloff.
Down upon the weepingly prostrate Sonya bore the man. As he came
toward her, he ripped off the leathern belt he wore. And he
brandished it by the hole-punch end; the brass buckle singing
ominously about his head. Then, out from the house and across the
wide veranda flashed a giant tawny shape.
With the fierce speed of his youngest days, Lad cleared the porch
and reached the crying child. In the same instant he beheld the
advancing Ruloff; and the wise old brain read the situation at a
glance.
Stopping only to lick the tear-streaked little face, Lad bounded
in front of Sonya and faced the father.
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