"Of course he would say that. I have heard that before."
"But I don't think he really did."
"I know you have always been foolishly indulgent to him."
"At any rate that cannot be said of you," said his wife, with some spirit.
"No," he answered, rather surprised at such an unusual manifestation from his usually acquiescent wife; "you are right there, and you might add that I don't mean to be, if he should return."
"I think he would have come home but for that advertisement. You see what he says about it in his letter."
"If I were to write it again, I should write it in the same manner, though perhaps I might not offer so large a sum."
Mrs. Brandon sighed, and ceased speaking. She knew her husband well enough to see that there was little chance of changing his determination, or softening his anger towards Ben.
The next day, when Mr. Brandon returned home to dinner from his coal-wharf, he found Mary seated at the head of the table.
"Where is your mother?" he asked.