The woman answered, “I WANT to go.”
“But I will not let you leave us.”
“No,” interrupted George angrily, “let her go; we cannot fasten her here.”
“Very well, then,” cried the exasperated mother, “since you want to go, go! But I have certainly the right to say to you that you are as stupid as the animals on your farm!”
“I don’t say that I am not,” answered the woman.
“I will not pay you the month which has just begun, and you will pay your railroad fare for yourself.”
The other drew back with a look of anger. “Oho!” she cried. “We’ll see about that!”
“Yes, we’ll see about it!” cried George. “And you will get out of here at once. Take yourself off—I will have no more to do with you. Good evening.”
“No, George,” protested his mother, “don’t lose control of yourself.” And then, with a great effort at calmness, “That cannot be serious, nurse! Answer me.”
“I would rather go off right away to my home, and only have my five hundred francs.”