"I must protest against it, in the name of my
father and mother, in the name of my country, Mrs. Bowker. It is
too ridiculous! Who are you that you talk about rank and station?
What is Margaret but the daughter of a plain human being of a
father, a little richer than mine and so a little nearer
opportunities for education? The claims to superiority of some of
the titled people on the other side are silly enough when one
examines them--the records of knavery and thievery and
illegitimacy and insanity. But similar claims over here are
laughable at a glance. The reason I hesitate to marry your
daughter is not to her credit, or to her parents' credit--or to
yours."
Madam Bowker was beside herself with rage at these candid insults,
flung at her with all Craig's young energy and in his most
effective manner; for his crudeness disappeared when he spoke
thus, as the blackness and roughness of the coal vanish in the
furnace heat, transforming it into beauty and grace of flames.
"Do I make myself clear?" demanded Craig, his eyes flashing
superbly upon her.
"You certainly do," snapped the old lady, her dignity tottering
and a very vulgar kind of human wrath showing uglily in her
blazing eyes and twitching nose and mouth and fingers.
Pages:
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210