"What? You torment me on purpose to enjoy my distress! What were you going to say?"
"I am not certain that I had better make any change in my life."
"Not make any change! Do you mean to treat me as if I were a child?"
"What a look! A reasonable woman would certainly hesitate about placing herself in the power of a man with such a dreadful temper."
"You need have no fear on that score," he replied, subduing his passion. "Nowhere in the world, Ellen, could you find a man so devoted and patient as I would be. Remember how long I have loved you——"
"Now you are reminding me of my age."
"You are not old enough yet to dislike thinking of it."
"Well, what were you saying?"
Thrasher returned, and stood directly before her.
"Ellen," he said, firmly; "I will not be trifled with—I must have an answer."