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recently gleaned from a newspaper column. Thats what it is, debotchin there aint no other name for it. Still his wife sighed, shook her head sorrowfully, and stitched on. Mr. Higginbotham resumed the newspaper. Has he paid last weeks board? he shot across the top of the newspaper. She nodded, then added, He still has some money. When is he goin to sea again? When his pay-days spent, I guess, she answered. He was over to San Francisco yesterday looking for a ship. But hes got money, yet, an hes particular about the kind of ship he signs for. Its not for a deck-swab like him to put on airs, Mr. Higginbotham snorted. Particular! Him! He said something about a schooner thats gettin ready to go off to some outlandish place to look for buried treasure, that hed sail on her if his money held out. If he only wanted to steady down, Id give him a job drivin the wagon, her husband said, but with no trace of benevolence in his voice. Toms quit. His wife looked alarm and interrogation. Quit to-night. Is goin to work for Carruthers. They paid m moren I could afford. I told you youd lose m, she cried out. He was worth moren you was giving him. Now look here, old woman, Higginbotham bullied, for the thousandth time Ive told you to keep your nose out of the business. I wont tell you again. I dont care, she sniffled. Tom was a good boy. Her husband glared at her. This was unqualified defiance. If that brother of yours was worth his salt, he could take the wagon, he snorted. He pays his board, just the same, was the retort. An hes my brother, an so long as he dont owe you money youve got no right to be jumping on him all the time. Ive got some feelings, if I have been married to you for seven years. Did you tell m youd charge him for gas if he goes on readin in bed? he demanded. Mrs. Higginbotham made no reply. Her revolt faded away, her spirit wilting down into her tired flesh. Her husband was triumphant. He had her. His eyes snapped vindictively, while his ears joyed in the sniffles she emitted. He extracted great happiness from squelching her, and she squelched easily these days, though it had been different in the first years of their married life, before the brood of children and his incessant nagging had sapped her energy. Well, you tell m to-morrow, thats all, he said. An I just want to tell you, before I forget it, that youd better send for Marian to-morrow to take care of the children. With Tom quit, Ill have to be out on the wagon, an you can make up your mind to it to be down below waitin on the counter. But to-morrows wash day, she objected weakly. Get up early, then, an do it first. I wont start out till ten oclock. He crinkled the paper viciously and resumed his reading. |
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