"'Just for a handful of silver he left us,
Just for a ribband to wear in his coat,'"
quoted Billy bitterly. "Lydia, I can't believe it!"
"It's true," repeated Lydia. "I couldn't stand Kent and Dad both. And partly I did it for John Levine's memory. I'm not trying to justify myself Billy. I know that I'm doing something wrong, but I've definitely made up my mind to sacrifice my own ease of conscience to Dad's happiness."
"You can't do it! You aren't built that way," exclaimed Billy.
"But I am doing it," reiterated Lydia.
"Look here," he cried, eagerly, "do you expect to keep my respect and yet go on with this?"
Lydia did not reply for some time. They were nearing the cottage, and she could see the pine, black against the afterglow, when she said,
"Well, I'm not keeping my own self-respect and yet, I'm glad I'm making
Dad and Kent happy."
"Kent! Wait till I see him!"
"You can't change Kent, if I couldn't," replied Lydia.