'A separation? But, my dear--!'
Mrs Yule could not express her disappointment and dismay.
'We couldn't live together; it's no use trying.'
'But at your age, Amy! How can you think of anything so shocking?
And then, you know it will be impossible for him to make you a
sufficient allowance.'
'I shall have to live as well as I can on the seventy-five pounds
a year. If you can't afford to let me stay with you for that, I
must go into cheap lodgings in the country, like poor Mrs Butcher
did.'
This was wild talking for Amy. The interview had upset her, and
for the rest of the day she kept apart in her own room. On the
morrow Mrs Yule succeeded in eliciting a clear account of the
conversation which had ended so hopelessly.
'I would rather spend the rest of my days in the workhouse than
beg him to take me back,' was Amy's final comment, uttered with
the earnestness which her mother understood but too well.
'But you are willing to go back, dear?'
'I told him so.'
'Then you must leave this to me. The Carters will let us know how
things go on, and when it seems to be time I must see Edwin
myself.
Pages:
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632
633
634
635
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645