Celia, say _Anton_." And I made the baby laugh by imitating the landlady, who had made her cry.
But when I went to my little room I did not mock Mrs.Hutch.I thought about her, thought long and hard, and to a purpose.

I decided that she must hear me out once.

She must understand about my plans, my future, my good intentions.

It was too irrational to go on like this, we living in fear of her, she in distrust of us.

If Mrs.Hutch would only trust me, and the tax collectors would trust her, we could all live happily forever.
I was the more certain that my argument would prevail with the landlady, if only I could make her listen, because I understood her point of view.