Why could he not have said ten years ago, 'I behaved badly, Mary; I treated you abominably; but forgive me and forget.

I was not wholly to blame, except that I allowed others to come between us ?' If he had come and said that, we could at least have been good friends.

I have no patience with men who cannot stand up for themselves.

Now, how much shall I tell Ralph ?" and she again read the letter through.
"Ralph," she said when he came in to dinner, "you remember that letter I had this morning ?" "Yes, I know, mother; the one that made you turn so white.

You said it was from an old friend, though why a letter from an old friend should upset any one I can't make out.