“So he had children? And deserted them?”
“Five,” replied Jennie in embarrassment.
“Five children! And he provided for them by taking their father from them when they needed a father most!”
“They are all boys but the youngest,” said Jennie.
I knew now that I was going to make a scene, struggle against it as I might.
“And is the smallest a little child yet?”
“Not an exceedingly little child,” said Jennie, picking at her dress and not seeming to see the fingers at which she stared. “Two years old, I believe.”
“Don’t you understand about family life? Don’t you see what a callous wretch is the man who can abandon his own flesh and blood? How will you ever close your eyes in sleep again if you help him in wronging that little child—that little child!”
I stood up from my seat and groped toward her. The moment of my own weakness and terror was coming.
Jennie took hold of me as she used to do at school.