Jenson Burnside demanded of his daughter. “How many times did this man offend your modesty?” “He did not, Daddy!” she answered, her cheeks a flaming red. “It was not like that. Owen spanked me a couple of times, but always over my clothing. This last time he thought I should be bared, but you came and stopped him from doing that! I would have been forever shamed,” she whispered. “I was trying to protect you, Tabby. I am sorry that I caused you such distress.” Owen’s remorse was genuine. “I understand, Owen, and I also know that you were very decent to me, unlike some Guardians out there. You did show me respect, and when I begged you to stop calling me Tatiana, you listened and called me Tabitha Rose. I am so grateful for the respect you gave me.” Her parent’s expression said that he was not so grateful. “Daddy, please listen to me; Owen refrained from reporting Glory in order to help me protect you. Your health was precarious when we arrived, and you had slipped downhill while I was away for those few days; the news of my arrest would have shocked you so badly we were afraid you would not survive.
