Her logic would scarcely
have passed muster with the Doctor. In the first place, Morris MUST
get the money, and she would help him to it. In the second, it was
plain it would never come to him, and it would be a grievous pity he
should marry without it--a young man who might so easily find
something better. After her brother had delivered himself, on his
return from Europe, of that incisive little address that has been
quoted, Morris's cause seemed so hopeless that Mrs. Penniman fixed
her attention exclusively upon the latter branch of her argument. If
Morris had been her son, she would certainly have sacrificed
Catherine to a superior conception of his future; and to be ready to
do so as the case stood was therefore even a finer degree of
devotion. Nevertheless, it checked her breath a little to have the
sacrificial knife, as it were, suddenly thrust into her hand.
Morris walked along a moment, and then he repeated harshly: "I must
give her up!"
"I think I understand you," said Mrs. Penniman gently.
"I certainly say it distinctly enough--brutally and vulgarly enough."
He was ashamed of himself, and his shame was uncomfortable; and as he
was extremely intolerant of discomfort, he felt vicious and cruel.
He wanted to abuse somebody, and he began, cautiously--for he was
always cautious--with himself.
"Couldn't you take her down a little?" he asked.
"Take her down?"
"Prepare her--try and ease me off.
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