[XX. THE CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER]
WHAT HAPPENED TO TAD
[CHAPTER I]
VERY HARD LINES
"NOW look here, boy! I ain't a-goin' to have no more words about it. Your mother must—"
"She ain't my mother, nor I'll never call her so, never! Not if I live a hundred year; so don't try to make me, dad."
"Well, I dare say it won't matter such a great deal to your stepmother what you call her, so long as you do what you're told, Tad. But please to understand, my lad, that if you kick up a rumpus here, and make things unpleasant for my wife, you'll hear of it again from me, as sure as my name's James Poole."
"But, dad," pursued the boy, "she ain't kind to the children, leastways only to her own kid. She beats poor little Bert, and boxes Nell's ears for the least thing."
"Tiresome spoilt brats! Serve 'em right!" retorted the man. "But anyhow, Tad, it ain't your business. You may as well understand, once for all, that I mean she shall be missis here, and manage the home her own way. Now go along, will you! I've no more time to waste on tale-tellin' and grumblin'."