"Thou wilt not bide in the same house with him, say'st thou? There's
no need for thy biding, as far as I can tell. There's solemn reason
why I should bide with my own flesh and blood and keep to the word I
pledged my mother on her death-bed; but, as for thee, there's no tie
that I know on to keep thee fro' going to America or Botany Bay this
very night, if that were thy inclination. I will have no more of
your threats to make me send my bairn away. If thou marry me,
thou'lt help me to take charge of Willie. If thou doesn't choose to
marry me on those terms--why, I can snap my fingers at thee, never
fear. I'm not so far gone in love as that. But I will not have
thee, if thou say'st in such a hectoring way that Willie must go out
of the house--and the house his own too--before thoul't set foot in
it. Willie bides here, and I bide with him."

"Thou hast may-be spoken a word too much," said Michael, pale with
rage. "If I am free, as thou say'st, to go to Canada, or Botany Bay,
I reckon I'm free to live where I like, and that will not be with a
natural who may turn into a madman some day, for aught I know.
Choose between him and me, Susy, for I swear to thee, thou shan't
have both."

"I have chosen," said Susan, now perfectly composed and still.
"Whatever comes of it, I bide with Willie."

"Very well," replied Michael, trying to assume an equal composure of
manner. "Then I'll wish you a very good night." He went out of the
house door, half-expecting to be called back again; but, instead, he
heard a hasty step inside, and a bolt drawn.

"Whew!" said he to himself, "I think I must leave my lady alone for a