"No, ma'am; but Callahan isn't my name, now; that was my first husband's name. It is Goodenough, now. Please call me Goodenough!"
"I will call you so; and I hope you will be good enough when you are under my care."
"I will be good when I am under your care."
That was all the experience I had had in reproving, or punishing, Callahan when she had offended in my presence. And that was the only offense she had committed.
The noise of voices grew loud in the yard. O'Brien came running up to me,—
"Please come out here, ma'am. They have had an awful time with Callahan, I know by the way she swears; but she will mind you if you speak to her. She behaves well enough if she is only treated half decent."
I went to the door. Callahan was coming up the walk between two officers, raving frightfully, shouting and swearing. When she came into the entry she smashed her hand through every pane of glass that she could reach, gashing her arms and spattering the blood on the floor and walls.
As soon as I could get her attention, which it took me some time to do, she was so excited, I spoke to her,—
"Callahan, stop! haven't you promised to be a good woman when you are with me?"
She looked at me, lowered her voice, but kept on with her talk. In a few moments I spoke again,—