Then there is the baby's side of the
question. I have had her through the worst, hardest part of
babyhood; she is accustomed to a fixed routine that you surely
will concede agrees with her; she would miss me, and she would not
thrive as she does with me, for her food and her hours would not
be regular, while you, and your father, and the boys would tire
her to death handling her. That is the start. The finish would
be that she would grow up, if she survived, to take the place
Polly took at your house, while you would marry some other girl,
as you WILL before a year from now. I'm dreadfully sorry to say
these things to you, Henry, but you know they are the truth. If
you're going to try to take the baby, I'm going to fight you to
the last dollar I can raise, and the last foot of land I own.
That's all. Look at the baby; think it over; and let me know what
you'll do as soon as you can. I'm not asking mercy at your hands,
but I do feel that I have suffered about my share."
"You needn't suffer any longer," said Henry, drying his eyes.
"All you say is true; just as what I said was true; but I might as
well tell you, and let one of us be happy.
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