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Walpole, Hugh, Sir, 1884-1941

"The Captives"

" The disgust of the idea made Martin's
words, against his will, sharp and angry.
"Does he? . . . Yes, I remember. He spoke to me about it."
"Of course it's simply his infernal cheek . . ."
Mr. Warlock sighed. "I don't know, I'm sure. Amy seemed to wish it."
Martin felt then more strongly than before the Something that drove
him. It said to him: "Now, then . . . here's a thing for you to make
a row about--a big row. And then you can go off with Maggie." But,
on the other hand, there was Something that said: "Don't hurt him.
Don't hurt him. You may regret it all your life if . . ."
If what? He didn't know. He was always threatened with regretting
things all his life. The blow was always going to fall. And that
pleasant very British phrase came back to him, "He would put his
foot down"--however--he was very angry--very angry.
He burst out: "Oh, but that's absurd, father. Impossible--utterly.
Thurston in the family? Why, you must see yourself how monstrous it
would be. Amy's got some silly, sentimental whim and she's got to be
told that it won't do. If you ask me, I don't think Amy's improved
much since I was away.


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