om what I did before, and I do not mind
tellin' you that I have come to the conclusion that I did a wrong
thing in persuadin' you to take Bideabout. I have had this troublin'
me for a long time, and it has not allowed me rest. I have not had
much sleep of late, because of the pain, and because I always have
been an active woman, and it puts me out to be a prisoner in my own
room, and not able to get about. Well, Matabel, I have fretted a
good deal over this, and have not been able to set my conscience at
ease. When Polly knocked off the spout of my china teapot, I said
to her, 'You must buy me another out of your wages.' She got one,
but 'twasn't the same. It couldn't be the same. The fashion is gone
out, and they don't make 'em as they did. It is the same with your
marriage with Bideabout. The thing is done and can't be undone. So
I need only consider how I can make it up in some other way."

"Mother, pray say nothing more about this. God has given me my
baby, and I am happy."

"God has given you that," said Mrs. Verstage, "but I have given you
nothing. I have done nothin' to make amends for the great wrong I
did you, and which was the spoiling of your life. It is not much I
can do, but do somethin' I must, and I will, or I shall not die
happy. Now, my plan is this. I have saved some money. I have for
many years been puttin' away for Iver, but he does not want it
greatly. I intend to leave to you a hundred pounds."

"Mother, I pray you do nothing of the kind.

"I must do it, Matabel, to ease my mind."

"Mother, it will make me miserable."

"Why so?"

Mehetabel did not answer.

"I intend this hundred pounds to be your own, and I shall so leave
it that it shall be yours, and yours only."

"Mother, it will make matters worse." After some hesitation, and
with a heightened color, she told Mrs. Verstage about the fifteen
pounds given her on the wedding day by Simon. She told it in such
a manner as to screen her husband to the utmost. "You know, mother,
Jonas has high notions about duty, and thinks it not well that we
should have separate purses. Of course he must judge in these
matters, and he is, no doubt, right, whereas I am wrong. But, as he
does hold this opinion, it would anger him were I to have this
money, and I know what the end would be, that I should have to give
it all up to him, so that there might be peace between us. I dare
say he is right."

"I have heard folks say that man should do the courtin'