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 clearly knowing why, "thy mind would not be disturbed—" but Ruth was in no humor to listen to his cant, and cut it short, saying, "I want mother's decision now, and then I can better listen to whatever thee may have to suggest. Do speak, mother," again implored Ruth.

"I cannot, indeed, I cannot," her mother replied, still gazing intently at the fire.

"Thy mother—" again began Matthew Watson.

"Father, this conversation must be between mother and myself. We hold a relation to ourselves with which thee has nothing to do, and I cannot help it if thee is pained by what thee calls my perversity. To go to England means to leave my mother, and she shall decide, and would have decided before this if thee had not so persistently interfered. I can only guess thy wishes from thy guarded words, but it is mother who has to judge of this, not thee. She knew my father, and knows his people well; she can tell me, judge for me. They are world's people, are they not, like the Pearsons?"