I felt
Embitter'd."
By this time he has taken over the whole Hynds estate as heir. He
mentions his sisters' marriages, notes that they have received their
dowers, and so dismisses them.
His mother has been dead some time when he marries. One wonders what
the bride was like, whom he commends for "Housekeeping Virtues, so
that the Servants instantly Obey, there is no Pilfering & Loitering,
& the House moves like Clockwork."
He must have been like clockwork, himself. There seems less and less
human emotion in him. The birth of his only child gets this:
"This day was born Sophronisba Harriott Hynds, nam'd for her
Estimable Mother. I am told 'Tis a fine healthy Child."
Casually thereafter he mentions "my Daughter." Twice her mother
"Requested me to Chastise her for Unchristian Temper," which
chastisement he seems to have administered with thoroughness and a
rattan, in his office. On the second occasion, "I whip'd her
Severely & did at the same Time admonish her to Ask Pardon of God.
Whereupon she Yell'd Aloud & did Seize the Calf of my Leg & Bite me,
Causing me Great Physical Pain and Mental Anguish. How sharper than
a Serpent's Tooth is an Ungrateful Child!"
(Oh, Ungrateful Child, I do not find it in my heart to blame you
overmuch.
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