I should like it before four o'clock, if you please, Uncle Gregorio." In his terror the man lost his temper.
"I shall certainly not let you have it," he answered, with cold irritation.

"It is absurd!" If Veronica had wanted the money to spend it on herself, she might have waited until he was cool again, in the evening, before insisting.

But her blood rose, for she felt that it was for her poor people, starving, sick, frozen, shelterless, in distant Muro.

She knew perfectly well what her rights were, and she asserted them then and there with a calm young dignity of purpose which terrified Gregorio more and more.
"This is very strange," she said.

"I do not wish to say disagreeable things, Uncle Gregorio; we should both regret them.