'I say, Netta, do you know I have written to invite my mother to come and pay us a visit.'
'Your mother! then you must amuse her, for I certainly won't.'
'I beg to say you will, and will do everything in your power to make her visit agreeable. It will be worse for you if you do not. What do you mean by always disobeying me?'
'You had better not strike me again, you coward, you! Justine will hear you. She can see and hear, if she can't understand.'
'I tell you what, Netta, everything may depend on our reception of my mother—your very living, and mine, and Minette's.'
'I don't care about living; I'd rather starve than live the life I do, and if I have Aunt 'Lizbeth, too, I shall run away, I am sure I shall.'
'With whom, madam?'
'With anybody or nobody; I don't care what becomes of me since you're so unkind. Perhaps you'd like to see my shoulder that you hurt yesterday? I haven't had the pleasure of seeing you since. Your shakes, and pinches ain't very soft, sir, I assure you.'
Netta threw off a portion of the white dressing-gown she had on, and displayed her round white neck and shoulder disfigured by a black-and-blue mark.
'I'll do the same to the other if you aggravate me any more,' said Howel, clenching his teeth, and moving towards Netta.