"Why don't he say one kind word to me, then? I know I've been bad. But I ain't a done a single thing since I've been home as 'd a' made him angry if he seed it, or said a word as he mightn't a' heard."
"I don't think you have, dear."
"Then why can't he come round, if it was ever so little? I'd sooner he'd beat me; that I would."
"He'll never do that, Carry. I don't know as he ever laid a hand upon one of us since we was little things."
"It 'd be better than never speaking to a girl. Only for you and mother, Fan, I'd be off again."
"You would not. You know you would not. How dare you say that?"
"But why shouldn't he say a word to one, so that one shouldn't go about like a dead body in the house?"
"Carry dear, listen to this. If you'll manage well; if you'll be good to him, and patient while you are with him; if you'll bear with him, and yet be gentle when he—"
"I am gentle,—always,—now."
"You are, dear; but when he speaks, as he'll have to speak when you're all alone like, be very gentle. Maybe, Carry, when you've come back, he will be gentle with you."