"And then there is heredity, you know, about our all inheriting the qualities of our parents. Our science-master explained that to us. If your father is given to drink, then you will drink too."
"Did your father drink?"
"Yes--he drank."
"And so you are afraid that you will become a drunkard, eh?"
"No, not that. A girl couldn't very well. But I am afraid about temper."
"What temper?"
"His was so violent. When he was in one of his rages he didn't know what he was doing; once he flew at me with a knife."
"Horrors! How old were you then?"
"Not quite eight. It was after mother's death. He came from I don't know where. We hadn't seen him for two years, and when he found out that nothing had been left to him, and that it was all mine, and had already been put in the hands of trustees, he was frantic, and it was then that he did it--snatched up the knife. Afterwards he took me with him when he travelled about. I was always to be with him, because then he could get the money for my education."
"And you understood everything even then?" he exclaimed, amazed and deeply moved.