He had a domineering nature
to begin with, and she let it go on, and fostered it till it
absolutely ruled her. I never saw a plainer case of a person's fault
making them pay for having it! She goes about, overseeing the packing
and praising George and pretending to be perfectly cheerful about what
he's making her do and about the dreadful things he's done. She
pretends he did such a fine thing--so manly and protective--going to
Mrs. Johnson. And so heroic--doing what his 'principles' made him--
even though he knew what it would cost him with you! And all the
while it's almost killing her--what he said to your father! She's
always been lofty enough, so to speak, and had the greatest idea of
the Ambersons being superior to the rest of the world, and all that,
but rudeness, or anything like a 'scene,' or any bad manners--they
always just made her sick! But she could never see what George's
manners were--oh, it's been a terrible adulation! . . . It's going to
be a task for me, living in that big house, all alone: you must come
and see me--I mean after they've gone, of course.
Pages:
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383