Kate was hitting hard and straight from the shoulder. The baby,
busy with her sunbeam, jabbered unnoticed.
"When Polly died as she did," continued Kate, "I knew that her
baby would be full of the same poison that killed her; and that it
must be eliminated before it came time to cut her worst teeth, so
I undertook the work, and sleeping or waking, I have been at it
ever since. Now, Henry, is there any one at your house who would
have figured this out, and taken the time, pains, and done work
that I have? Is there?"
"Mother raised six of us." he said defensively.
"But she didn't die of diathesis giving birth to the first of
you," said Kate. "You were all big, strong boys with a perfectly
sound birthright. And your mother is now a much older, wearier
woman than she was then, and her hands are far too full every day,
as it is. If she knew how to handle the baby as I have, and was
willing to add the work to her daily round, would you be willing
to have her? I have three times her strength, while I consider
that I've the first right. Then there is the baby's side of the
question. I have had her through the worst, hardest part of
babyhood; she is accustomed to a fixed routine that you surely
will concede agrees with her; she would miss me, and she would not
thrive as she does with me, for her food and her hours would not
be regular, while you, and your father, and the boys would tire
her to death handling her. That is the start. The finish would
be that she would grow up, if she survived, to take the place
Polly took at your house, while you would marry some other girl,
as you WILL before a year from now. I'm dreadfully sorry to say
these things to you, Henry, but you know they are the truth. If
you're going to try to take the baby, I'm going to fight you to
the last dollar I can raise, and the last foot of land I own.
That's all. Look at the baby; think it over; and let me know what
you'll do as soon as you can. I'm not asking mercy at your hands,
but I do feel that I have suffered about my share."
"You needn't suffer any longer," said Henry, drying his eyes.
"All you say is true; just as what I said was true; but I might as
well tell you, and let one of us be happy. I saw my third lawyer
yesterday, and he said the papers were unbreakable unless I could
prove that the child was neglected, and not growing right, or not
having proper care. Look at her! I might do some things! I did
do a thing as mean as to persuade a girl to marry me without her
mother's knowledge, and ruined her life thereby, but God knows I
couldn't go on the witness stand and swear that that baby is not
properly cared for! Mother's job is big enough; and while it
doesn't seem possible now, very likely I shall marry again, as
other men do; and in that event, Little Poll WOULD be happier with
you. I give her up. I think I came this morning to say that I
was defeated; and to tell you that I'd give up if I saw that you
would fight. Keep the baby, and be as happy as you can. You
shan't be worried any more about her. Polly shall have this thing
as she desired and planned it. Good-bye."