If you will do this, I will be your wife; if
not, I remain unwed."
"But he may get dangerous; he can be but a trouble; his being here is
a pain to you, Susan, not a pleasure."
"I ask you for either yes or no," said she, a little contempt at his
evading her question mingling with her tone. He perceived it, and it
nettled him.
"And I have told you. I answered your question the last time I was
here. I said I would ne'er keep house with an idiot; no more I will.
So now you've gotten your answer."
"I have," said Susan. And she sighed deeply.
"Come, now," said Mrs. Gale, encouraged by the sigh; "one would think
you don't love Michael, Susan, to be so stubborn in yielding to what
I'm sure would be best for the lad."
"Oh! she does not care for me," said Michael. "I don't believe she
ever did."
"Don't I? Haven't I?" asked Susan, her eyes blazing out fire. She
left the room directly, and sent Peggy in to make the tea; and
catching at Will, who was lounging about in the kitchen, she went up-
stairs with him and bolted herself in, straining the boy to her
heart, and keeping almost breathless, lest any noise she made might
cause him to break out into the howls and sounds which she could not
bear that those below should hear.
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