At
last she heaved the weight off her heart enough to say, in a
faint, moaning voice, speaking with infinite difficulty--
"I was so young."
"The more depraved, the more disgusting you," Mr. Bradshaw
exclaimed, almost glad that the woman, unresisting so long,
should now begin to resist. But, to his surprise (for in his
anger he had forgotten her presence), Jemima moved forwards and
said, "Father!"
"You hold your tongue, Jemima. You have grown more and more
insolent--more and more disobedient every day. I now know who to
thank for it. When such a woman came into my family there is no
wonder at any corruption--any evil--any defilement----"
"Father!"
"Not a word! If, in your disobedience, you choose to stay and
hear what no modest young woman would put herself in the way of
hearing, you shall be silent when I bid you. The only good you
can gain is in the way of warning. Look at that woman"
(indicating Ruth, who moved her drooping head a little on one
side, as if by such motion she could avert the pitiless
pointing--her face growing whiter and whiter still every
instant)--"Look at that woman, I say--corrupt long before she was
your age--hypocrite for years! If ever you, or any child of mine,
cared for her, shake her off from you, as St. Paul shook off the
viper--even into the fire." He stopped for very want of breath.
Jemima, all flushed and panting, went up and stood side by side
with wan Ruth.
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