"Oh, father, father!" said Mary, throwing herself upon his arm,--"not to-night! Any night but to-night. Oh, help me! he's going out to drink again! Father, I'll not leave yo'. Yo' may strike, but I'll not leave yo'. She told me last of all to keep yo' fro' drink!"
But Margaret stood in the doorway, silent yet commanding. He looked up at her defyingly.

'Oh, father, father!' said Mary, throwing herself upon his arm - 'not tonight! Any night but tonight. Oh, help me! he's going out to drink again! Father, she told me last of all to keep yo' fro' drink!'
He shook her off violently so that she fell against a chair. But Margaret stood in the doorway, silent yet commanding.
