Oh, I knew you
didn't want me, George! You always teased me and berated me whenever
you had a chance from the time you were a little boy--you did so!
Later, you've tried to be kinder to me, but you don't want me around--
oh, I can see that much! You don't suppose I want to thrust myself on
you, do you? It isn't very pleasant to be thrusting yourself on a
person you know doesn't want you--but I knew you oughtn't to be left
all alone in the world; it isn't good. I knew your mother'd want me
to watch over you and try to have something like a home for you--I
know she'd want me to do what I tried to do!" Fanny's tears were
bitter now, and her voice, hoarse and wet, was tragically sincere. "I
tried--I tried to be practical--to look after your interests--to make
things as nice for you as I could--I walked my heels down looking for
a place for us to live--I walked and walked over this town--I didn't
ride one block on a street-car--I wouldn't use five cents no matter
how tired I--Oh!" She sobbed uncontrollably. "Oh! and now--you don't
want--you want--you want to leave me in the lurch! You--"
George stopped walking.
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