I don't know what your poor dear mother would have
thought of it."
"You have only to ask for what you want."
"Yes, as if I were a five-year-old child. But I tell you, Robert, I'll
have my rights, and if I can't get them one way I will another.
I won't be treated as if I were no one. And there's one thing: if I am
to be this man's pa-in-law, I'll want to know something about him and
his money first. We may be poor, but we are honest. I'll up to the
Hall now, and have it out with him." He seized his hat and stick and
made for the door.
"No, no, father," cried Robert, catching him by the sleeve. "You had
better leave the matter alone. Mr. Haw is a very sensitive man.
He would not like to be examined upon such a point. It might lead to a
serious quarrel. I beg that you will not go."
"I am not to be put off for ever," snarled the old man, who had been
drinking heavily. "I'll put my foot down now, once and for ever."
He tugged at his sleeve to free himself from his son's grasp.
"At least you shall not go without Laura knowing. I will call her down,
and we shall have her opinion."
"Oh, I don't want to have any scenes," said McIntyre sulkily, relaxing
his efforts. He lived in dread of his daughter, and at his worst
moments the mention of her name would serve to restrain him.
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