I have enough in the savings-bank of my own that I could get out without our lawyer or mamma knowing, and you don't know how dear, how very dear, everything that belonged to father is to Eliz and me.

If you wait here tied until my stepmother comes she will not give any money to get the things back; she would not care if you kept them, so long as she could punish you.' Every word of her gentle pleading made the insult deeper and more gross, and the fact that she was who she was only made the hurt to his pride the sorer.

He would not answer; he would not explain; he would let her think what she liked; it is the way of the injured heart.
Angry, and confirmed in her suspicion, she too turned proudly away.

He saw her, as she crossed the hall, take up a pair of snow-shoes that she had left leaning against the wall, and without further farewell to any one turn toward the front door.
He knew then what he must do.

Without inward debate, without even weighing what his act's ultimate consequences might be, he followed her.
'I will do what you ask.