Val
might do so, but he does not. Perhaps I should have had courage to
attempt it, for the children's own sake, it is so shocking to train them
to ill-nature, but that he appears to think as she does. The petty
disputes between the children are frequent--for my two elder ones are
getting of an age to turn again when put upon--but their father never
corrects Edward and Maude, or allows them to be corrected; let them do
what wrong they will, he takes their part. I believe that if Edward
_killed_ one of my children, he would only caress him."
Lady Laura turned her eyes on the speaker's face, on its flush of pain
and mortification.
"And Val loved you: and did _not_ love Maude! What does it mean, Anne?"
"I cannot tell you. Things altogether are growing more than I can bear."
"Margaret has been with you some time; has she not interfered, or tried
to put things upon a right footing?"
Anne shook her head. "She espouses the dowager's side; upholds the two
children in their petty tyranny. No one in the house takes my part, or my
children's."
"That is just like Margaret. Do you remember how you and I used to dread
her domineering spirit when we were girls? It's time I came, I think, to
set things right."
"Laura, neither you nor any one else can set things right. They have been
wrong too long. The worst is, I cannot see what the evil is, as regards
Val.
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