It was
always easy enough to cope with Patty, for her impertinence
evoked such rage that the argument took care of itself; but this
grave young woman was a different matter. There she sat
composedly on the edge of her wooden chair, her head lifted high,
her color coming and going, her eyes shining steadily, like fixed
stars; there she sat, calmly announcing her intention of leaving
her father to shift for himself; yet the skies seemed to have no
thought of falling! He felt that he must make another effort to
assert his authority.
"Now, you take off your coat," he said, the pipe in his hand
trembling as he stirred nervously in his chair. "You take your
coat right off an' set down to the supper-table, same as usual,
do you hear? Eat your victuals an' then go to your bed an' git
over this crazy fit that Patience has started workin' in you. No
more nonsense, now; do as I tell you!"
"I have made up my mind, father, and it's no use arguing. All who
try to live with you fail, sooner or later. You have had four
children, father. One boy ran away; the other did not mind being
drowned, I fear, since life was so hard at home. You have just
turned the third child out for a sin of deceit and disobedience
she would never have committed--for her nature is as clear as
crystal--if you had ever loved her or considered her happiness.
Pages:
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285