“Stand up then, and now be off.”
“But, my darling, you will come?”
“No, I won’t.”
“For my sake?”
“I won’t, for my own. I’m not going to stand it. He shan’t bully and knock me about I’m not a boy now. I’ll show him.”
“But, Claud, darling, for the sake of peace and quietness; I don’t want the servants to know.”
But dear Claud—his mother’s own darling—was as obstinate now as his father, whom he condemned loudly, then condemned peace and quietness, then the servants, and swore that he would serve Kate out for causing the trouble.
“I’ll bring her down on her knees—I’ll tame her, and make her beg for a kiss next time.”
“Yes, yes, my dear, you shall, but not now. You must be humble and patient.”
“Are you coming down, Maria?” ascended in a savage roar.