He got the
police on my trail right off. And when he had me back in Minetta Lane,
first he licked me and then he told me how bad my mother was, and he
said if folks knew it, they'd spit on me and throw me out of school,
and that I was lower than any low dog. And he told me if I did exactly
what he said he'd never let any one know, but if I didn't he'd go over
and tell Miss Brannigan. She was a teacher I was awful fond of, and
he'd tell the police, and he'd tell all the kids. And after that he
was always telling me awful low things about my mother--"
Seaton interrupted firmly. "Not your mother. Call her Luigi's wife."
Nucky moistened his lips. "Luigi's wife. And it used to drive me
crazy. And he told me all women was like that only some less and some
worse. Mr. Seaton, is that true?"
"Enoch, it's a contemptible, unspeakable lie! The majority of women
are pure and sweet as no man can hope to be. I'd like to kill Luigi,
blast his soul!"
"Maybe you don't know!" persisted Nucky.
"I know! And what's more, when we get back to New York, I'll prove it
to you. The world is full of clean, honest, kindly people, Enoch.
I'll prove it to you, old man, if you'll give me the chance."
"But if she was my mother, how can I help being rotten?"
"Look here, Enoch, a fellow might have the rottenest mother and
rottenest father on earth, but the Lord will start the fellow out with
a clean slate, just the same.
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