But, if you do not, your allowance is
withdrawn."
"Certainly," said Margaret. "I assumed that."
Madam Bowker gazed at her with eyes like tongues of flame. "And
how do you expect to live?" she inquired.
"That is OUR affair," replied the girl. "You say you are done with
me. Well, so am I done with you."
It was, as Margaret had said, because she was not afraid of her
grandmother that that formidable old lady respected her; and as
she was one of those who can give affection only where they give
respect, she loved Margaret--loved her with jealous and carping
tenacity. The girl's words of finality made her erect and
unyielding soul shiver in a sudden dreary blast of loneliness,
that most tragic of all the storms that sweep the ways of life. It
was in the tone of the anger of love with the beloved that she
cried, "How DARE you engage yourself to such a person!"
"You served notice on me that I must marry," replied the girl, her
own tone much modified. "He was the chance that offered."
"The chance!" Madam Bowker smiled with caustic scorn, "He's not a
chance."
"You ordered me to marry. I am marrying. And you are violating
your promise. But I expected it.
Pages:
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165