And had she not known what the veil covered? Yet
for the poor people's sake, for his own sake, she must try the
woman's argument.
'Do you refuse me, Richard? I will be guarantee for him. I promise
you he shall not offend again. He shall apologise humbly to you for
his--his words. You won't really refuse me?'
'What nonsense! How can you promise for him, Adela? Ask for
something reasonable, and you may be sure I shan't refuse you. The
fellow has to go as a warning. It mustn't be thought we're only
playing at making rules. I can't talk any more; I shall keep dinner
waiting.'
Pride helped her to show a smooth face through the evening, and in
the night she conquered herself anew. She expelled those crying
children from her mind; she hardened her heart against their coming
misery. It was wrong to judge her husband so summarily; nay, she had
not judged him, but had given way to a wicked impulse, without
leaving herself a moment to view the case. Did he not understand
better than she what measures were necessary to the success of his
most difficult undertaking? And then was it certain that expulsion
meant ruin to the Rendals? Richard would insist on the letter of the
regulations, just, as he said, for the example's sake; but of course
he would see that the man was put in the way of getting new
employment and did not suffer in the meantime.
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