'Look
here! Look at her! Here's a bargain for a man!'
'Dear Jonas!'
'Dear Devil!' he replied, with a fierce gesture. 'You're a pretty clog
to be tied to a man for life, you mewling, white-faced cat! Get out of
my sight!'
'I know you don't mean it, Jonas. You wouldn't say it if you were
sober.'
With affected gayety she gave Bailey a piece of money, and again
implored him to be gone. Her entreaty was so earnest, that the boy had
not the heart to stay there. But he stopped at the bottom of the stairs,
and listened.
'I wouldn't say it if I was sober!' retorted Jonas. 'You know better.
Have I never said it when I was sober?'
'Often, indeed!' she answered through her tears.
'Hark ye!' cried Jonas, stamping his foot upon the ground. 'You made me
bear your pretty humours once, and ecod I'll make you bear mine now. I
always promised myself I would. I married you that I might. I'll know
who's master, and who's slave!'
'Heaven knows I am obedient!' said the sobbing girl. 'Much more so than
I ever thought to be!'
Jonas laughed in his drunken exultation. 'What! you're finding it out,
are you! Patience, and you will in time! Griffins have claws, my girl.
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