Alexander took a while to answer the phone. "What is it?" he asked. The housekeeper explained the situation. "Put her on the phone," he said.

"Daddy," Sophia said, sobbing.

Her father said, "Go eat your dinner."

Sophia wiped her tears and stubbornly remained silent. Alexander didn't say anything either. Sophia cried even harder. Alexander said in a cool tone, "I'll take you out this weekend. You can choose where to go."

The crying stopped ...