On finishing the last paragraph the reader crumpled the letter and threw it into the grate.
“I am sorry you did that, Helen,” said he, “but I don't blame you, and it can't be helped. We won't need to take advantage of his 'kind offer' now.”
“I intend to do so, however,” replied the girl coldly.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean,” she cried, “that I am sick of waiting on your good pleasure. I waited, and slaved, and stood unbearable things for two years. I did it cheerfully. And in return I don't get a civil word, not a decent explanation, not even a—caress,” she fairly sobbed out the last word. “I can't stand it any longer. I have tried and tried and tried, and then when I've come to you for the littlest word of encouragement, you have pecked at me with those stingy little kisses, and have told me I was young and ought to finish my education. You put me in uncongenial surroundings, and go off into the woods camping yourself. You refuse me money enough to live in a three-dollar boarding-house, and you buy expensive rifles and fishing tackle for yourself. You can't afford to send me away somewhere for the summer, but you bring me back gee-gaws you have happened to fancy, worth a month's board in the country. You haven't a cent when it is a question of what I want; but you raise money quick enough when your old family is insulted. Isn't it my family too? And then you blame me because, after waiting in vain two years for you to do something, I start out to do the best I can for myself. I'm not of age but you're not my guardian!”
During this long speech Thorpe had stood motionless, growing paler and paler. Like most noble natures, when absolutely in the right, he was incapable of defending himself against misunderstandings. He was too wounded; he was hurt to the soul.
“You know that is not true, Helen,” he replied, almost sternly.
“It IS true!” she asseverated, “and I'm THROUGH!”
“It's a little hard,” said Thorpe passing his hand wearily before his eyes, “to work hard this way for years, and then—”
She laughed with a hard little note of scorn.