'd fight your battles some day? And
now, when I'm got clever enough to set about it, you curse me."

"I don't curse you, Abel. But time is past for fighting battles. There's
nothing to fight about now."

"We're punishing him cruel by not taking his money; but there's more to
do yet," he said. "And I'll do it if I can. And you mind that I'm
fighting against him for your sake, and if you're grown too old and too
tired to hate the man any more, I haven't. I can hate him for you as
well as myself."

"And the hate comes back on you," she said. "It's long past the time for
all that. You've got plenty of brains and you know that this passion
against him is only harming yourself. For God's sake drop it. You say
you're a man now. Then be a man and take man's views and look on ahead
and think of your future life. Far from helping me, you're only
hindering me. We've come to a time when life's altered and the old life
here is done. We're going to begin life together--you and me--and you're
going to make our fortunes; but it's a mad lookout if you mean to put
all your strength into hating them that have no hate for you. It will
make you bitter and useless, and you'll grow up a sour, friendless
creature, like Levi Baggs. What's he got out of all his hate and
unkindness to the world?"

Abel considered.

"He hates everybody," he said. "It's no use to hate everybody, because
then everybody will hate you. I don't hate everybody. I only hate him."

She argued, but knew that she had not changed her son. And then, when he
was gone again, fearing that he might do what he threatened, she went to
see Estelle Waldron.

They met on the way to see each other, for Estelle had heard from
Raymond that work was found for Abel and, as next step in the plot, it
was necessary for Sabina to go to a small spinning mill in Bridport
herself. Ironsyde's name was not to transpire.

Gladly enough the mother undertook her task.

"He's out of hand," she said, "and away from home half his time. He
roams about and listens to bad counsellors. He's worse than ever since
he's idle. He's got another evil thought now, for his thoughts foul his
reason, as well I know thoughts can."

She told Estelle what Abel had declared he would do.

"You'd best let Mister Ironsyde know," she said, "and he'll take steps
according. If the boy can be kept out from any meeting it would be
wisest. But I'm powerless. I've wearied my tongue begging and blaming
and praying to h