"Why should she? I can take about anything from Angy, but it wouldn't do for
her to let me see that she disliked me so that I kinder made her sick."

"Oh, thunder, Tom! You're getting a wrong impression. I was never treated
better by anybody in my life than by Mrs. Holcroft. She's a lady, every inch
of her. But there's no reason why she should dote on an old fellow like me."

"Yes, there is. I have my opinion of a woman who wouldn't dote on a man
that's been such a friend as you have."

"Oh, hang it all, Tom! Let's talk about business. She's too grateful--that's
what worries me. By the way she took hold and filled the house with comfort
she made everything even from the start. She's been as good a friend to me as
I to her. She's done all she agreed and more, and I'll never hear a word
against her. The point I've been trying to get at is this: If Mrs. Mumpson
will agree never to come near us or make trouble in any way, we'll take the
child. If she won't so agree, I'll have nothing to do with the girl. I don't
want to see her mother, and you'd do me one of the kindest turns you ever did
a man by stating the case to her."

"If I do," said Watterly, laughing, "you'll have to forgive me everything in
the past and the future."

"I will, Tom, for I'd rather have an eye tooth pulled than face that woman.
We're all right--just as we used to be at school, always half quarreling, yet
ready to stand up for each other to the last drop. But I must have her
promise in black and white."

"Well, come to my office and we'll try to arrange it. The law is on your
side, for the county won't support people that anyone will take off its hands.