It's a spurning of the gifts of Providence not to have such a man as Lawrence Twentyman when he comes in your way.

Who are you, I wonder, that you shouldn't be contented with such as him?
He'll go and take some one else and then you'll be fit to break your heart, fretting after him, and I shan't pity you a bit.

It'll serve you right and you'll die an old maid, and what there will be for you to live upon God in heaven only knows.

You're breaking your father's heart, as it is." Then she sat down in a rocking-chair and throwing her apron over her eyes gave herself up to a deluge of hysterical tears.
This was very hard upon Mary for though she did not believe all the horrible things which her stepmother said to her she did believe some of them.

She was not afraid of the fate of an old maid which was threatened, but she did think that her marriage with this man would be for the benefit of the family and a great relief to her father.