In Charles Holland's household no one was allowed to eat the
bread of idleness. His own children were all girls, and
Christopher came in handy as a chore boy. He was made to
work--perhaps too hard. But Eunice helped him, and did half his
work for him when nobody knew. When he quarreled with his
cousins, she took his part; whenever possible she took on herself
the blame and punishment of his misdeeds.
Electa Holland was Charles' unmarried sister. She had kept house
for Benjamin until he married; then Naomi had bundled her out.
Electa had never forgiven her for it. Her hatred passed on to
Naomi's children. In a hundred petty ways she revenged herself
on them. For herself, Eunice bore it patiently; but it was a
different matter when it touched Christopher.
Once Electa boxed Christopher's ears. Eunice, who was knitting
by the table, stood up. A resemblance to her mother, never
before visible, came out in her face like a brand. She lifted
her hand and slapped Electa's cheek deliberately twice, leaving a
dull red mark where she struck.
"If you ever strike my brother again," she said, slowly and
vindictively, "I will slap your face every time you do. You have
no right to touch him."
"My patience, what a fury!" said Electa. "Naomi Holland'll never
be dead as long as you're alive!"
She told Charles of the affair and Eunice was severely punished.
But Electa never interfered with Christopher again.
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