Then the drinking. We was brought up teetotal, but they're always pressing
it upon you, and to please him I said I would drink the 'orse's 'ealth.
That's how it began.... You don't know what it is, mother; you only knew
God-fearing men until you married him. We aren't all good like you,
mother. But I thought no harm, indeed I didn't."
"A girl can't know what a man is thinking of, and we takes the worst for
the best."
"I don't say that I was altogether blameless but--"
"You didn't know he was that bad."
Esther hesitated.
"I knew he was like other men. But he told me--he promised me he'd marry
me."
Mrs. Saunders did not answer, and Esther said, "You don't believe I'm
speaking the truth."
"Yes, I do, dearie. I was only thinking. You're my daughter; no mother had
a better daughter. There never was a better girl in this world."
"I was telling you, mother--"
"But I don't want no telling that my Esther ain't a bad girl."
Mrs. Saunders sat nodding her head, a sweet, uncritical mother; and Esther
understood how unselfishly her mother loved her, and how simply she
thought of how she might help her in her trouble. Neither spoke, and
Esther continued dressing.
"You 'aven't told me what you think of your room. It looks pretty, don't
you think? I keeps it as nice as I can.
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