She laughed a little。
〃You mustnt think I want him to be miserable;〃 she
cried。 〃I dont。〃
〃We quite readily believe it;〃 retorted Brangwen。 〃Neither do
you intend him to be hopping for joy like a fish in a pond。〃
This made her think。 She was rather surprised to find that
she did not intend her husband to be hopping for joy like
a fish in a pond。
Her mother came; and they all sat down to tea; talking
casually。
〃Remember; child;〃 said her mother; 〃that everything is not
waiting for your hand just to take or leave。 You mustnt
expect it。 Between two people; the love itself is the important
thing; and that is neither you nor him。 It is a third thing you
must create。 You mustnt expect it to be just your way。〃
〃Ha…nor do I。 If I did I should soon find my mistake out。 If
I put my hand out to take anything; my hand is very soon
bitten; I can tell you。〃
〃Then you must mind where you put your hand;〃 said her
father。
Anna was rather indignant that they took the tragedy of her
young married life ity。
〃You love the man right enough;〃 said her father; wrinkling
his forehead in distress。 〃Thats all as counts。〃
〃I do love him; more shame to him;〃 she cried。 〃I want
to tell him……Ive been waiting for four days now to tell
him〃 her face began to quiver; the tears came。 Her
parents watched her in silence。 She did not go on。
〃Tell him what?〃 said her father。
〃That were going to have an infant;〃 she sobbed; 〃and hes
never; never let me; not once; every time Ive e to him; hes
been horrid to me; and I wanted to tell him; I did。 And he wont
let me……hes cruel to me。〃
She sobbed as if her heart would break。 Her mother went and
forted her; put her arms round her; and held her close。 Her
father sat with a queer; wrinkled brow; and was rather paler
than usual。 His heart went tense with hatred of his