“Highty, tighty! What next! The gentleman has the choice, has he, when to be found fault with, and when not!”
“I give you fair warning,” said Molly, hurriedly, “that I will do what I can to prevent you!”
Aunt Ann was indignant.
“You dare to tell me, in my own”—she was going to say house, but corrected herself—“in my own home, where you live on the charity of—”
Molly interrupted her.
“I shall ask my father,” she said, “whether he wishes me to have such words from you. If he does, you shall say what you please to me. But as to Walter, I will ask nobody. Till he is able to take care of himself, I shall not let you plague him. I will fight you first! There now!”
The flashing eyes and determined mouth of Molly, who had risen, and stood regarding her aunt in a flame of honest anger, cowed her. She shut her jaws close, and looked the picture of postponement.
That instant came the voice of Mr. Colman:
“Molly! Molly!”
“Yes, Richard!” answered Miss Hancock, rising.