"I have some news for you," he said, putting his arm in mine, as he jumped from the wagon. "Come in, and pull off my boots, Manuel." I brought a chair for him, and waited till his boots were off. "Bring me a glass of brandy."
I stamped my foot. Verry entered with a book. "Ah, Verry, darling, come here."
"Why do you drink brandy? Have you over-driven the horses?"
He drank the brandy. She nodded kindly to him, shut her book, and slipped out, without approaching him.
"That's her way," he said, staring hard at me. "She always says in the same unmoved voice, 'Why do you drink brandy?'"
"And then—she will not come to kiss you."
"The child is dead, for the first thing. (Cigar, Manuel.) Second, I was possessed to come home by the way of Rosville. When did your father go away, Cass?"
I felt faint, and sat down.
"Ah, we all have a weakness; does yours overcome you?"
"He went three days ago."