"Well," he interrupted sternly, "never think or speak of such things again."

The child had a miserable sense that she had angered him; she was also
satisfied that her mother's schemes would be futile, and she scarcely spoke
again that day.

Holcroft was more than angry; he was disgusted. That Mrs. Mumpson's design
upon him was so offensively open that even this ignorant child understood it,
and was expected to further it, caused such a strong revulsion in his mind
that he half resolved to put them both in his market wagon on the morrow and
take them back to their relatives. His newly awakened sympathy for Jane
quickly vanished. If the girl and her mother had been repulsive from the
first, they were now hideous, in view of their efforts to fasten themselves
upon him permanently. Fancy, then, the climax in his feelings when, as they
passed the house, the front door suddenly opened and Mrs. Mumpson emerged with
clasped hands and the exclamation, "Oh, how touching! Just like father and
child!"

Without noticing the remark he said coldly as he passed, "Jane, go help Mrs.
Wiggins get supper."

His anger and disgust grew so strong as he hastily did his evening work that
he resolved not to endanger his self-control by sitting down within earshot of
Mrs. Mumpson. As soon as possible, therefore, he carried the new stove to his
room and put it up. The widow tried to address him as he passed in and out,
but he paid no heed to her. At last, he only paused long enough at the
kitchen door to say, "Jane, bring me some supper to my room. Remember, you
only are to bring it."