She looked at him with little love in her eyes.

“You’re only being a scourge to me—­not to him,” she answered.  “You can’t hurt him, however much you want to, and you can’t hurt his name or reputation, because time heals all and he’s done much to others that will make them forget what he did to me.  I forget myself sometimes, so ’tis certain enough the people do.  And if I can, surely to God you can, if only for my sake.  You’re punishing me for being your mother, not him for being your father—­just contrary to what you want.”

“That’s all I get, then, for standing up for you against him, and keeping it before him and the people what he’s done against you.  Didn’t you tell me years and years ago I’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.”