And after all this, after all these insults and aspersions heaped upon him in the day of our prosperity--am I to be made over to him penniless and needy, without a shilling of dowry?
Am I to be thrown upon his generosity in my hour of poverty, when I was denied to him in my day of supposed wealth?
"Father, father! I cannot, I will not permit it.

I can work for my own bread if needs must be.

But I will not owe it to the generosity of Reuben Harmer, after all that has passed.

I should be humbled to the very dust!" The Master Builder looked at his daughter in amaze.

He had never seen Gertrude quite so moved before.
"Why, child," he exclaimed in astonishment.