"But I do,--a very great difference. It seems to me that he's
altogether under the control of that hideous old termagant.
Arabella, I think you'd better make up your mind that it won't do."
"It must do," said Arabella.
"You're very fond of him it seems."
"Mamma, how you do delight to torture me;--as if my life weren't
bad enough without your making it worse."
"I tell you, my dear, what I'm bound to. tell you--as your mother.
I have my duty to do whether it's painful or not."
"That's nonsense, mamma. You know it is. That might have been all
very well ten years ago."
"You were almost in your cradle, my dear."
"Psha! cradle! I'll tell you what it is, mamma. I've been at it
till I'm nearly broken down. I must settle somewhere;--or else
die;--or else run away. I can't stand this any longer and I won't.
Talk of work,--men's work! What man ever has to work as I do? I
wonder which was the hardest part of that work, the hairdressing
and painting and companionship of the lady's maid or the continual
smiling upon unmarried men to whom she had nothing to say and for
whom she did not in the least care! I can't do it any more, and I
won't. As for Mr. Morton, I don't care that for him. You know I
don't. I never cared much for anybody, and shall never again care
at all."
"You'll find that will come all right after you are married.
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