What could you expect from a
young thing like that, with her merry heart turned into a lump in
her breast every day by your cruelty? Did she deceive you? Well,
you've made her afraid of you ever since she was a baby in the
cradle, drawing the covers over her little head when she heard
your step. Whatever crop you sow is bound to come up, father;
that's Nature's law, and God's, as well."
"You hold your tongue, you,--readin' the law to your elders an'
betters," said the old man, choking with wrath. "My business is
with this wuthless sister o' yourn, not with you!--You've got
your coat and hood on, miss, so you jest clear out o' the house;
an' if you're too slow about it, I'll help you along. I've no
kind of an idea you're rightly married, for that young Wilson
sneak couldn't pay so high for you as all that; but if it amuses
you to call him your husband, go an' find him an' stay with him.
This is an honest house, an' no place for such as you!"
Patty had a good share of the Baxter temper, not under such
control as Waitstill's, and the blood mounted into her face.
"You shall not speak to me so!" she said intrepidly, while
keeping a discreet eye on the whip. "I'm not a--a--caterpillar to
be stepped on, I'm a married woman, as right as a New Hampshire
justice can make me, with a wedding-ring and a certificate to
show, if need be.
Pages:
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274