"You scare me, father." She burst into frightened tears. "I don't know
what's got into you. I do my best. I give you all I make. I've kept this
house going, and"---she gained a little courage--"I've had darned little
thanks for it."
"You think I believe the mill gave five thousand dollars in watches last
Christmas? To-morrow I go, with this to Mr. Clayton Spencer, not to that
degenerate son of his, and I ask him. Then I shall know."
He turned, as if about to leave her, but the alternative he offered her
was too terrible.
"Father!" she said. "I'll tell you the truth. I bought it myself."
"With what money?"
"I had a raise. I didn't tell you. I had a raise of five dollars a week.
I'm paying for it myself. Honest to heaven, that's right, father."
"So--you have had a raise, and you have not told me?"
"I give all the rest to you. What do I get out of all my hard work? Just
a place to live. No clothes. No fun. No anything. All the other girls
have a good time now and then, but I'm just like a prisoner. You take
all I earn, and I get--the devil."
Her voice rose to a terrified squeal. Behind her she heard the slovenly
servant creaking down the stairs. As Herman moved toward her she
screamed.
"Katie!" she called. "Quick. Help!"
But Herman had caught her by the shoulder and was dragging her toward a
corner, where there hung a leather strap.
Katie, peering round the door of the enclosed staircase, saw him raise
the strap, and Anna's white face upraised piteously.
"For God's sake, father."
The strap descended. Even after Katie had rushed up the stairs and
locked herself in the room, she could hear, above Anna's cries, the thud
of the strap, relentless, terrible, lusty with cruelty.
Herman went to church the next morning. Lying in her bed, too sore and
bruised to move, Anna heard him carefully polishing his boots on the
side porch, heard him throw away the water after he had shaved, heard at
last the slam of the gate as he started, upright in his Sunday clothes,
for church.
Only when he had reached the end of the street, and Katie could see him
picking his way down the blackened hill, did she venture up with a cup
of coffee. Anna had to unlock her door to admit her, to remove a further
barricade of chairs. When Katie saw her she almost dropped the cup.