'You promised.'
'No, Nuttie, I did not.'
'I'm sure I understood you to say you would if you could.'
'It was your hopes, my dear child. He is quite determined.'
'And you leave him so. Mother, I can't understand your submitting to show such cruel ingratitude!'
Nuttie was very angry, though she was shocked at the burning colour and hot tears that she beheld as, half choked, her mother said: 'Oh, my dear, my dear, do not speak so! You know—you know it is not in my heart, but my first duty, and yours too, is to your father.'
'Whatever he tells us?' demanded Nuttie, still hot and angry.
'I did not say that,' returned her mother gently, 'but you know, Nuttie, Aunt Ursel herself would say that it is our duty to abide by his decision here.'
'But you could speak to him,' still argued Nuttie, 'what's the use of his being so fond of you if he won't do anything you want?'
'Hush! hush, Nuttie! you know that is not a right way of speaking. I cannot worry him now he is ill. You don't know what that dreadful pain is!'