"Michael, I'm beside myself with sorrow. Don't blame me if I speak
sharp. He and me is the only ones, you see. And mother did so
charge me to have a care of him! And this is what he's come to, poor
lile chap!" She began to cry, and Michael to comfort her with
caresses.
"Don't," said she. "It's no use trying to make me forget poor Willie
is a natural. I could hate myself for being happy with you, even for
just a little minute. Go away, and leave me to face it out."
"And you'll think it over, Susan, and remember what the doctor says?"
"I can't forget," said she. She meant she could not forget what the
doctor had said about the hopelessness of her brother's case; Michael
had referred to the plan of sending Willie to an asylum, or madhouse,
as they were called in that day and place. The idea had been
gathering force in Michael's mind for some time; he had talked it
over with his father, and secretly rejoiced over the possession of
the farm and land which would then be his in fact, if not in law, by
right of his wife. He had always considered the good penny her
father could give her in his catalogue of Susan's charms and
attractions. But of late he had grown to esteem her as the heiress
of Yew Nook.
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