COMMUTER'S WIFE 69 



Tim with a clang that startled us even in the 

 house, and when Tim ran out, white and scared, 

 pointed to the horse and chaise, and strode in with 

 the rare stern look on his face. 



For an hour father and Aunt Lot talked, recall- 

 ing the various omissions that had finally culmi- 

 nated into absolute defiance, and decided justly that 

 whatever influence had changed the once crouch- 

 ing, humble woman, she certainly now completely 

 dominated the man. That they could no longer 

 live on the place was decided then and there, but 

 father argued that if work and residence were sepa- 

 rated, all might yet be well. Aunt Lot thought 

 differently, and yet she too pitied Peter, who, 

 though helpless to throw off the present condition, 

 was personally a valuable servant. 



Father decided that in the morning he would have 

 a talk with Peter, and he went to bed dreading the 

 ordeal more than the severest surgical operation. 

 His temperament was not to wound except to the 

 better heal. In this case the result seemed dubious, 

 and to inflict or allow needless pain was a crime 

 in his eyes. 



We had not finished breakfast before Aunt Lot 

 was very unnecessarily reminding father of the 

 duty before him and of everything he must say, 



