On the way to the barn he fell in with his mother, who was returning from the village.
“What’s the matter, Ben?” she said, for she saw signs of disturbance in her son’s face.
“I have had a little conversation with Mr. Winter.”
“Did he—scold you?”
“Yes, because I gave some bread and milk to two poor people who called at the door yesterday. Mother, if there’s a mean man in the world, it is Jacob Winter.”
“Hush, Ben! Don’t speak so of your stepfather.”
“Mother, why did you marry him? Why did you make him my stepfather?”
Mrs. Winter looked troubled.
“I—I thought it was for the best, Ben,” she faltered. “We had so little, and he was rich.”
“Then you didn’t marry him from affection?”