The whole thing was so ridiculous! I had come on such a grand mission, ready to dictate the terms of a noble peace.

I was met with anger and contumely; the dignity of the ambassador of peace rubbed off at a touch, like the golden dust from the butterfly's wing.
I took my scolding like a meek child; and then, when she was in the middle of a trenchant phrase, her eye fixed daggerlike on mine, I calmly went to put the enemy's house in order! It was ridiculous, and I laughed.
Immediately I was sorry.

I wanted to apologize, but Mrs.Hutch didn't give me a chance.

If she had been harsh before, she was terrific now.
Did I come there to insult her ?--she wanted to know.

Wasn't it enough that I and my family lived on her, that I must come to her on purpose to rile her with my talk about college--_college!_ these beggars!--and laugh in her face?
"What did you come for?
Who sent you?
Why do you stand there staring?
Say something! _College!_ these beggars! And do you think I'll keep you till you go to college?
_You_, learning geometry! Did you ever figure out how much rent your father owes me?
You are all too lazy--Don't say a word! Don't speak to me! Coming here to laugh in my face! I don't believe you can say one sensible word.
_Latin_--and _French_! Oh, these beggars! You ought to go to work, if you know enough to do one sensible thing.