"
"Like the furniture?" said I.
She did not answer this with words, but I felt her scrutinizing look
directed full upon me, I knew I was in a most uncharitable and
provoking mood, but I was not responsible, heaven knows, for what I
said or did under such maddening influences. I did not want to give
full vent to my momentary hatred and indignation, and as my step
mother's attitude was tempting me strongly to indulge both, I turned,
and said as calmly as I could:
"Have you anything in particular to say to me, that I have not heard
before? If not, I think we had better separate!"
"I thought you would not object to discuss our projected plans, a
little, with me," she answered with a subdued peevishness. "If you
were not so cold and proud, I would like to offer you a few
suggestions and in some way prove to you, that my guardianship,
limited though it may be, is not merely a formal responsibility."
"What would you have me do?"
"I can't say definitely--but if you would only rouse yourself to a
full realization of your position, there is a great deal in your power
to do. You are an orphan now, and reject my authority in every way--it
is evident that we can never be friends. Why don't you look about you,
for love and devotion that will make a happy substitute for what you
have lost? You are no longer a child; you are quite able to face the
more serious responsibilities of life. If you gave your present
attention to this, there would be no necessity for your going among
strangers.
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