and to his brain. And then she rose from her seat as she went on.
"Your scorn, uncle, is unjust,--unjust and untrue. I have ever
acted maidenly, as has become my mother's daughter."

"Yes, yes, yes;--I believe that."

"And I can say more than that for myself. My thoughts have been the
same, nor have my wishes even, ever gone beyond them. And when this
young man came to me, telling me of his feelings, I gave him no
answer till I had consulted my mother."

"She should have bade you not to think of him."

"Ah, you are not a mother, and cannot know. Why should I not think
of him when he was good and kind, honest and hardworking? And then
he had thought of me first. Why should I not think of him? Did not
mamma listen to my father when he came to her?"

"But your father was forty years old, and had a business."

"You gave it him, Uncle Hatto. I have heard him say."

"And therefore I am to do as much for you. And then next year Agnes
will come to me; and so before I die I shall see you all in want,
with large families. No, Isa; I will not scorn you, but this thing
I cannot do."

"But I have not told you all yet. You say that I want a husband."

"Well, well; I did not mean to say it harshly."