"
Though the Duchess had decided, the desire to protect Larry remained
tenaciously in her and made it hard for her jealous love to take a
risk. "You're sure she might turn out all right--that is, under better
influences?"
"I'm sure, grandmother." He recalled how a few hours earlier at the
Grantham the demand of Old Jimmie that she remain with him had seemed
the force that had controlled her decision. "There would be no doubt
of it if it were not for Old Jimmie, and the people he's kept her
among, and the ideas he's been feeding her since she was a baby. I
don't think she has any love for her father; but they say blood is
mighty thick and I guess with her it's just the usual instinct of a
child to stand with her father and do what he says. Yes, if she were
not held back and held down by having Old Jimmie for a father, I'm
sure she'd be all right."
The Duchess felt that the moment had now arrived for her to unloose
her secret. But despite her fixed purpose to tell, her words had to be
forced out, and were halting, bald.
"Jimmie Carlisle--is not her father."
"What's that?" exclaimed Larry.
"Not so loud. I said Jimmie Carlisle is not her father."
"Grandmother!"
"Her father is Joe Ellison."
"Grandmother!" He caught her hands. "Why--why--" But for a moment his
utter dumbfoundment paralyzed his speech.
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