"Very well," he
said hurriedly, "you have chosen your path and must walk in it. But
you cannot expect me to acknowledge a servant as my daughter." And
turning his back, he went to meet the men, while Amy slipped off to
the house with her blossoms.
Mrs. Barton needed no word to tell her of the result of the interview
from which she had expected so much, and with a kiss and a loving word,
permitted the girl to go upstairs, where she remained until Mr. Goodrich
had left the place.
After completing the purchase of the farm, Adam wrote his daughter
from the office of the agent in Zanesville: "The place where you are
living now belongs to me, and the Bartons must give possession at once.
If you will promise never to speak to that man Falkner again, you may
come home and be received into your old place, but on no other terms
will I acknowledge you as my daughter. Refuse and you are thrown on
the charity of the world, for you cannot remain where you are."
Amy carried the letter to her friends, together with her reply, and
they, by every argument of love, tried to induce her to go with them
back to Cleveland; but she refused in tears. And when she would not
be persuaded, they were compelled to leave her. With many expressions
of love, they said good-bye, and departed for their old home in the
eastern city; but before going, they arranged with a kind neighbor to
give her a place in their already crowded home until she could find
means of support.
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