And when I heard that I was in a pretty rage; for I cannot abide Aunt Rebecca, who is as cross as a bear with a sore head, and she cannot abear the sight of me.

I know not wherefore I have offended her, but so it is.

And I know naught of managing a house, and so Aunt Susan will tell them an they ask her.

So I dared to stamp my foot, and to tell father I would not wed Jacob to be made his mother's slave; that I would rather live and die a maid like the good Queen who has been taken from us.

And father, he scarce seemed to know what to say.