"That difference is not unprecedented. I did not reject him because he was older than myself. If you had been as old as he when you offered yourself, I think I would have accepted you."
"Poor old fellow! Did he take it hard?" asked Burton, half jocosely.
"If you mean did he show any traces of a broken heart, I answer no. But when, after pressing his suit persistently, he found my resolution to be inflexible, his face became distorted with passion. He swore that he would be revenged upon me some day, and that if I dared to marry any one else he would never rest till he had brought harm to the husband of my choice."
"I wish I had been there. I would have made him take back those words, or I would have horsewhipped him."
"Don't take any notice of them, Richard," said Mary Burton, hastily. "It will be much better."
"I agree with you," said her husband, his quick anger melting. "After all, the old fellow's disappointment was so great that I can excuse a little impetuosity, and even rudeness. You see, Mary, Wolverton isn't a gentleman."
"He acted as his nature prompted. But it was all over years ago. Why, Mary, he is always friendly with me, even if I am your husband."
"That is on the outside, Richard; but I fear he is crafty. He is like an Indian; his thirst for vengeance keeps alive."
"Admitting all that, though I don't, what harm can he do, Mary, while I am here to protect you?" and the husband expanded his breast in conscious strength, and looked down proudly on his fair wife. "Why, I could wring his neck with only one hand."
"Well, perhaps I am foolish, Richard," the wife admitted.
Just then Clip put his head inside the door.
Richard Burton kissed his wife hastily, and went out.
As he closed the door, a bright, handsome boy, strongly made, and bearing a resemblance to both father and mother, entered.
"Hallo, mother! Are you all right?" he asked.
"You look serious, as if you were worrying over something."
"I was thinking of Mr. Wolverton. Your father has gone to pay him interest on the mortgage."
"Wolverton is a mean old hunks. He's got a nephew living with him, a boy about my age. He works him nearly to death, and I am sure the poor boy doesn't get half enough to eat."
"I was wishing your father didn't owe money to such a man."