And you shall not call my husband names! Time
will tell what he is going to be, and that's a son-in-law any
true father would be proud to own!"
"Why are you set against this match, father? " argued Waitstill,
striving to make him hear reason. "Patty has married into one of
the best families in the village. Mark is gay and thought-less,
but never has he been seen the worse for liquor, and never has he
done a thing for which a wife need hang her head. It is something
for a young fellow of four-and-twenty to be able to provide for a
wife and keep her in comfort; and when all is said and done, it
is a true love-match."
Patty seized this inopportune moment to forget her father's
presence, and the tragic nature of the occasion, and, in her
usual impetuous fashion, flung her arms around Waitstill's neck
and gave her the hug of a young bear.
"My own dear sister," she said. "I don't mind anything, so long
as you stand up for us."
"Don't make her go to-night, father," pleaded Waitstill. "Don't
send your own child out into the cold. Remember her husband is
away from home."
"She can find another up at the Mills as good as he is, or
better. Off with you, I say, you trumpery little baggage, you!"
"Go, then, dear, it is better so; Uncle Bart will keep you
overnight; run up and get your things"; and Waitstill sank into a
chair, realizing the hopelessness of the situation.
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