“I should think you would let him go from here,” observed Nannie. “I don’t see the advantage of his going over to Mrs. Hamilton’s so early. And after he comes back you always send him or take him some place. A child ought not to be away from home so much. It’s not good for him.” Lucy made no answer. “One would think that you’d like to see more of your child, Lucy. I used to be miserable when you were at school. But it looks as though you send him away on purpose. Perhaps you want to keep him away from my evil influence?” Lucy continued silent. “Why don’t you say right out, Lucy, that you don’t want me to have anything to do with him?” “That isn’t true, Mamma, that I don’t want you to see _anything_ of him.” “I suppose, then, you didn’t send him to kindergarten to get him away from me?” “Well, I thought he bothered you a great deal, Mamma, and you and he are always quarreling.” “Quarreling! I quarrel with a five year old child! You have a very dignified mother, I must say! No, that excuse won’t work. The real reason is that you want to estrange the child from me so you can have his affection all for yourself.” “No, Mamma. That’s not so. But I do think it is bad for Dimmie to have you correcting him every time he breathes. Children should have a great deal of consideration.” “And I have no consideration for him! I nag him every time he breathes! Lucy, of all the unjust, unkind things to say, and from my own daughter, too! After all I’ve gone through for you! If I’d only followed poor Mother’s advice and never come! Well, I’ll tell you this much, Lucy, _I_ have some rights in the matter too, and I will not have my own grandson poisoned against me!” “Well, I have some rights, too!” flared Lucy. “I will not have my child badgered to death by anybody!” “Badgered! Well, I never! The child doesn’t belong to you alone, Lucy. He has a father, too, and we’ll see what John has to say about it!” “It makes no difference what he says,” returned Lucy hotly. “You shall not ruin my boy, and neither shall his father!” Her eyes shone and her breast heaved. “Why, Lucy! What are you getting into such a rage about?” Nannie temporized suddenly. “Anyone would think I was asking permission to murder him instead of----” “That’s exactly what you _are_ doing!” cried Lucy bitterly. “You would like to murder his soul. You want to interfere with every thought and impulse the child has!” “Why, Lucy----” Nannie began again indignantly. “Don’t ‘Lucy’ me!” interrupted her daughter vehemently, rising from her chair. “I tell you I won’t have my child tortured by you or anyone else. If it’s to be that or nothing we had better decide to part right now. So far as my own life goes, I say nothing, but my child----” She halted for breath, trembling with emotion. “Lucy!” Nannie almost shrieked, rising also. Lucy stared at her mother steadfastly for a moment, and did not speak. Nannie broke into hysterical sobbing. Lucy continued to regard her unmoved.