International Weekly Miscellany of Literature, Art, and Science — Volume 1, No. 4, July 22, 1850 by Various
page 38 of 114 (33%)
page 38 of 114 (33%)
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of silence, "give me only one shilling, and I shall not think of the
bitter words you have just said." "No; not one shilling," answered Mrs. Lawson, turning over a leaf of her novel. "One sixpence, then--one small, poor sixpence. You do not know how even a sixpence can gladden the black heart of poverty when starvation is come. One sixpence, I say--let me have it quickly." "Not one farthing I shall give you. I do beg you will trouble me no further." Mrs. Lawson turned her back partially to him, and fixed all her attention on the novel. "Woman! I have cringed and begged; I would not so beg for myself, from you--no: I would lie down and die of want before I would, on my own account, request of you--of your hard heart--one bit of bread. All the finery that surrounds you is mine--it was purchased with my money, though now you call it yours; and, usurping the authority of both master and mistress here, you--in what you please to call your economical management--dole out shillings to me when the humor seizes you, or refuse me, as now, when it pleases you. But, woman, listen to me. I shall never request you for one farthing of money again. No necessity of others shall make me do it. You shall never again refuse me, for I shall never give you the opportunity." He turned hastily from the room, with a face on which the deep emotion of an aroused spirit was depicted strongly. |
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