Her mind went back to the past, but none of these instances of mild treatment could she remember.

The iron hand had been on him from the beginning, crushing out the good, and hardening the evil into endurance.
"Andrew," said she, after sitting for some time with her eyes upon the floor, speaking in a very calm voice, "he is my son as well as yours--and his welfare is as dear to me as it is to you.

As his mother, I am entitled to a voice in all that concerns him; and now, in the sight of heaven, I give my voice distinctly against his being sent to sea." Mr.Howland seemed startled at this bold speaking in his wife, which, to him, amounted to little less than rebellion against his authority.

As the head of the family, it was his prerogative to rule; and he had ruled for years with almost undisputed sway.

Not in the least inclined did he feel to give up now, the power which he believed, of right, belonged to him.