When Amy first caught sight of her father advancing slowly toward her
beneath the blossom-laden trees she forgot everything and started
quickly toward him, her face lighted with eager welcome, ready to throw
herself in his arms and there pour out her whole tearful story and beg
his love and forgiveness. But when she saw his face, she dared not,
and stood with downcast eyes, trembling and afraid.
"So this is where you hide yourself, while your family faces your shame
at home," began Adam, coldly. "Tell me who brought you here and who
pays these people to keep you."
The girl lifted her head proudly. "No one pays them sir; I am supporting
myself."
The man looked at her in amazement. "Do you mean that your position
here is that of a common servant?"
"There are worse positions," she replied sadly. "The people here are
very kind to me."
"But think of your family; you are a disgrace to us all. What can I
tell them when I go back and say that I have seen you?"
"Tell them that I am well, and as happy as I ever expect to be."
She pressed her hand to her bosom where a letter was hidden.
"But what will people say when they know that my daughter is working
on a farm for a living?"
"They need never know unless you tell them."
Then the man lost all control of himself; that this girl who had always
yielded to his every wish, without so much as daring to have a thought
of her own, should so calmly, but firmly, face him in this manner,
enraged him beyond measure.
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