Page:The Redemption of Anthony (1911).djvu/97

 myself to make more of a man for you. I'd go to work, and—and—"

"Oh, Peter, don't; please don't!" Priscilla put her head down on her arm.

"I'm a brute to worry you now with it, Priscilla. Never mind about it, dear. Are you crying?"

Mrs. Martin, entering, stopped at the door. "Why, Baby! Peter—what's the matter with you children?"

Peter turned away and left them, and Mrs. Martin took Priscilla in her arms.

"The idea of his getting you all excited like this! I could spank him! What's he been saying to you, Lady-bird?"

"He wants me to love him, and I can't; and I don't want him to love me, and he does," sobbed Priscilla.

"Dear me! What a tragedy!" said Mrs. Martin, kissing her hair. "Peter will recover."

Priscilla regarded her gravely. "You don't think it's my duty to marry him, do you, mother? He said that if I did it would