I shall be glad if you
will give it to me before four o'clock; I wish to send it at once."
Macomer had barely a thousand francs in the house, and he knew that
there was not a man of business in Naples who would have lent him half
the little sum for which Veronica was asking.
"I shall certainly not give you money for any such absurd purpose," said
Gregorio, with sudden, assumed sternness.
Veronica raised her eyes in quiet astonishment, offended, but not
disconcerted.
"Really, Uncle Gregorio," she said, "as I am of age and mistress of
whatever is mine, I think I have a right to my little charities.
Besides, you know, it is not giving, since you are no longer my guardian
in reality. It is merely a case of sending to the bank for the money, if
you have not got it in the house. I should like it before four o'clock,
if you please, Uncle Gregorio."
In his terror the man lost his temper.
"I shall certainly not let you have it," he answered, with cold
irritation. "It is absurd!"
If Veronica had wanted the money to spend it on herself, she might have
waited until he was cool again, in the evening, before insisting. But
her blood rose, for she felt that it was for her poor people, starving,
sick, frozen, shelterless, in distant Muro. She knew perfectly well
what her rights were, and she asserted them then and there with a calm
young dignity of purpose which terrified Gregorio more and more.
"This is very strange," she said.
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