Page:The Millbank Case - 1905 - Eldridge.djvu/154

 Mrs. Parlin grew cold and distant, with that poise of the head that, to her friends, at least, told of offence taken.

"It was only irritation and he didn't even mean that Theodore should hear him, but Theodore did and answered pretty sharply and"

"Please, what did he say?"

"That he could go any time it suited him, and that, while he intended to give a man all the privileges he could, he intended also to have his services when he wanted them. Jonathan said if he wanted a man to work like a nigger, he'd better get one; and Theodore told him if he heard another word from him, he'd discharge him on the spot." Mrs. Parlin had spoken formally and distantly, as if to assert the compulsion under which she complied with his demand.

"Was that the end of it?" he asked.

"Why, of course. Neither of them meant it, and the easiest way was to let it pass. Theodore understood that and didn't refer to it again. It's sometimes the best way to get along with hasty folks."