Another Snippet from A Master Passion.
Here, Betsy's little sister Cornelia takes up with an unsuitable beau:
Betsy was not surprised when one
morning her father and young Washington retired to the study. In the broad downstairs corridor, on her way
to fetch something for Mama, she heard the rumble of her father's voice, that
most authoritarian tone, and knew, without catching a word, that a suitor was
being rejected.
Soon,
Papa banged his cane on the floor and ordered the carriage. From upstairs came the sounds of bags being
packed, of doors slamming, of Cornelia sobbing.
The old General accompanied the young man to the wharf and stayed until
he'd seen both the unwanted suitor and his baggage on board the noon sloop to
New York. Back at the house, Cornelia
wailed and smashed china, much as her eldest sister Angelica had done twenty
years before.
"I'd
just as soon marry you to some unlettered frontiersman.” The General roared
back. “This Mr. Morton has no idea of responsibility, has done nothing yet
except peacock about upon the foolish generosity of his father! Now, Cornelia,
promise me you will have nothing further to do with him ‑ either by word--or by
letter."
"I
cannot do that." Cornelia’s dark eyes were full of fire. All too clearly, she saw herself as a heroine
of one of those popular British romances.
"What?!" The General banged his cane on the
floor. "Do you mean to disobey
me?"
"I
cannot bind myself, Papa. I will not
promise."
"Disobedient
girl! Great God! What have I done to deserve this? Go to your
room at once and stay there!"
Head
high, Cornelia swept up the stairs.
"Where
does she get this language? This defiant
deportment? It's those damned novels, isn't it? I swear to God – if I
find any of that trash in found this house it shall be burnt at once."
A MASTER PASSION
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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