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Show 126 »V«r, » Yes, he quietly answered, trying to set an atmosphere conducive to a less emotional and more rational discussion. Barbara was taken back and could say nothing for the moment. "And that's why father must never know how bad things are with us." He turned to the young ones, "Ye mustn't tell father-none of you. Promise me," insisted Thomas. "I don't think saying an oath is as bad as leaving your family to starve," said Benjamen who had lost all his pudginess during the past year. "It's not just an oath," Thomas felt the situation reverting to an emotional basis again. "You're just like father. I hope you never have a family so you won't leave them like father left us!" To wish such a curse on Thomas revealed the depth of discouragement- to which Barbara had fallen. It fanned the smouldering emotions to full fury. Joseph and Benny sided with Barbara vigorously. Samuel tried to act as mediator. Thomas and Jane maintained a courageous defense. But reason and logic were now meaningless to the young victims of their troubled existence. No one noticed when the front door opened and Lathrop stepped into the room to hear the last words of Barbara's emotional tirade. "I don't, care what you say, father doesn't love us |