"We agree for once," retorted my father. "The sooner you go, the better."
He stepped across the room and put his hand on my shoulder.
"Listen to me," he said, making a last effort to control himself. "I don't want to quarrel with you before a discarded servant. There must be an end to this nonsense. Leave these people to pack up and go, and come back to the house with me."
His heavy hand, pressing on my shoulder, seemed to press the spirit of resistance out of me. I so far gave way as to try to melt him by entreaties.
"Oh, papa! papa!" I cried. "Don't part me from Mary! See how pretty and good she is! She has made me a flag for my boat. Let me come here and see her sometimes. I can't live without her"
I could say no more. My poor little Mary burst out crying. Her tears and my entreaties were alike wasted on my father.
"Take your choice," he said, "between coming away of your own accord, or obliging me to take you away by force. I mean to part you and Dermody's girl."
"Neither you nor any man can part them," interposed a voice, speaking behind us. "Rid your mind of that notion, master, before it is too late."
My father looked round quickly, and discovere d Dame Dermody facing him in the full light of the window. She had stepped back, at the outset of the dispute, into the corner behind the fireplace. There she had remained, biding her time to speak, until my father's last threat brought her out of her place of retirement.
They looked at each other for a moment. My father seemed to think it beneath his dignity to answer her. He went on with what he had to say to me.
"I shall count three slowly," he resumed. "Before I get to the last number, make up your mind to do what I tell you, or submit to the disgrace of being taken away by force."
"Take him where you may," said Dame Dermody, "he will still be on his way to his marriage with my grandchild."
"And where shall I be, if you please?" asked my father, stung into speaking to her this time.
The answer followed instantly in these startling words: "You will be on your way to your ruin and your death."
My father turned his back on the prophetess with a smile of contempt.
"One!" he said, beginning to count.
I set my teeth, and clasped both arms round Mary as he spoke. I had inherited some of his temper, and he was now to know it.