The Man Thou GavestComstock, Harriet T. (Harriet Theresa)
General
The Man Thou Gavest
Comstock, Harriet T. (Harriet Theresa)
Fiction
"You--kept your word, Ann," she said. Then: "You--you made a place for
my baby. Little Ann--kiss your--brother."
They named the baby for William Truedale and they called him Billy, in
deference to his pretty baby ways.
"He must be Uncle William's representative," said Lynda, "as Bobbie is
the representative of Betty's little dead boy."
"I often think of--the money, Lyn." Truedale spoke slowly and seriously.
"How I hated it; how I tried to get rid of it! But when it is used
rightly it seems to secure dignity for itself. I've learned to respect
it, and I want our boy to respect it also. I want to put it on a firm
foundation and make it part of Billy's equipment--a big trust for which
he must be trained."
"I think I would like his training to precede his knowledge of the money
as far as possible," Lynda replied. "I'd like him to put up a bit of a
fight--as his father did before him."
"As his father did _not_!" Truedale's eyes grew gloomy. "I'm afraid,
Lyn, I'm constructed on the modelling plan--added to, built up. Some
fellows are chiselled out. I wonder--about little Billy."
"Somehow"--Lynda gave a little contented smile--"I am not afraid for
Billy. But I would not take the glory of conflict from him--no! not for
all Uncle William's money! He must do his part in the world and find
his place--not the place others may choose for him."
"You're going to be sterner with him than you are with Ann, aren't you,
Lyn?" Truedale meant this lightly, but Lynda looked serious.
"I shall be able to, Con, for Billy brought something with him that Ann
had to find."
"I see--I see! That's where a mother comes in strong, my dear."
"Oh! Con, it's where she comes in with fear and trembling--but with an
awful comprehension."
This "comprehension" of the responsibilities of maternity worked forward
and backward with Lynda much to Truedale's secret amusement. Confident
of her duty to her son, she interpreted her duty to Ann. While Billy,
red-faced and roving-eyed, gurgled or howled in his extreme youth, Lynda
retraced her steps and commandingly repaired some damages in her
treatment of Ann.
"Ann," she said one day, "you must go to school."
"Why?" Ann naturally asked. She was a conscientious little student and
extremely happy with the governess who came daily to instruct her.
"You study and learn splendidly, Ann, but you must have--have children
in your life. You'll be queer."
"I've got Bobbie, and now Billy."
"Ann, do not argue. When Billy is old enough to go to school he is
going, without a word! I've been too weak with you, Ann--you'll
understand by and by."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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